1688 
Miss Frances Edge Mcllvaine, Glen Isle Farm, 
Downington, Pa., writes August 12, 1921: 
"Iris ensata, S.P.I. No. 40766, sent me in Febru- 
ary, 1918, from Chico, Calif., has now grown into 
a good-sized clump. Its leaves have attained a 
length of some 2 to 2$ feet. Its flowers are very 
small, a pale blue, but so fugacious one has to be 
out very early to see them. The introducer's note 
said : 
"'The long grasslike leaves are very strong 
and fibrous and may be used In the garden for tying 
purposes instead of raffia. ' 
"This could not be tested until this season. 
I am happy to say, however, that it is quite true. 
And in another year's time it may become one of 
the most important plants in my working garden. I 
tied the strong stalks of dahlias this June, using 
the ribbonlike leaves of the Iris, wrapping them 
twice around the dahlia stalk and around a- 5- inch 
stake. It has dried and held perfectly. This will 
be a great labor-saver, as one could plant it about 
a garden at convenient intervals and have at hand 
a perennial source of tying material which is al* 
ways urgently needed." 
