THE PICTURESQUE JAPANESE IRIS FOR 
AMERICAN GARDENS 
Their form, their markings and their color effects are distinctly 
Oriental, and strike a new and captivating note of garden pleas¬ 
ure. The foliage is upright and ornate, in contrast to the coarse 
leafage of some other plants. 
ft is difficult to express by words the many variations in tone 
that result from nature's use of violet shades and white, embel¬ 
lished with gold, which are the prevailing base colors of the 
class. Yet they run from the most intense red and blue violets 
or purple down through their most delicate shadings to pure 
white. Many of our newest hybrids are particularly charming 
in tender orchid tones. 
Their culture is easy, but exacting as to their simple wants. 
The soil must be deeply dug and on the acid side which ex¬ 
cludes lime and bone meal. Leaf mold and manure may be 
used quite freely for richness, and to create greater acidity 
apply in spring a light dressing of Aluminum Sulphate. Then be 
sure that before and during the blooming season there is no 
lack of moisture in the soil and if your plants are well chosen 
you will marvel at their size and opulence. But do not expect 
them to be at their best the first season after planting. 
This list of Japanese Iris is truly one of outstanding origina¬ 
tions and not of out-dated mediocrities. Many named varieties 
have been discarded as too far below our standard and thou¬ 
sands rogued for the same reason. Too many growers are loth 
to eliminate stocks which have been superseded in quality. If 
out of a thousand hand-crossed seedlings we get two or three of 
rare merit we are pleased, but such plants cannot be sold at the 
price of the ninety-and-nine. 
A PROFESSIONAL GARDENER 
West Millbury, Mass.: "Please send your latest catalog. I wish to pur¬ 
chase Delphinium seed as I have done for the past few years. Your stock 
is the best of all in America, without dispute." 
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