The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

JAPANESE BY JAPANESE eAROENEpS

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brought from every part OF the globe.
so 1t seems almost like a lesson in
geography to study their nationality
for there are English irises that grow
side by side with Siberian, Oriental and
| Spanish each vying with the other to
put forth its best color and bloom.
The irises which bloom in our gar
den during the summer are usually the
teardless type. They have more grass
| like foliage and require more moisture
than the others.
The Japanese variety should be
| treated by itself and a field OF them in
bloom Is most gorgeous sight. They
come when the tulips, the daffodils and
the Oriental peoples have passed their
| prime, reaching their climax during
the blazing August sun. when their
dark royal blues and puppies produce
striking note OF beauty that once
seen can never be forgotten. These are
| sent from overseas in mixture, so 1t is
difficult to collect them true to name.
| They require considerable moisture at
both budding and poisoning time. and
in some gardens in Japan a small
| stream Is frequently changed from its
course to flood the iris field. The roots
increase more rapidly in an open circle,
and when 1t is filled they may be sep
arated for additional plants. It is i'm
| possible to grow them without much
moisture IL the ground is kept prop
erly cultivated. The planting should
be done in trenches at least eighteen
inches deep. adding air slaked lime or
well rotted manure. but never fresh.
which would mean death to the plant
roots. 1t is we'll to stir in finely
! ground bonemeal in the early spring.
thus causing the flowers to increase
| very much in size.
| There are many ideas on the sub
| 5ect of their culture, and while 1t is
| claimed that planting should not be
put Off until spring on account of
| bloom. yet It has been proved that
in some cases the groups come into
blossom the same year. even II plant
ing has been delayed.
The beardless variety does not re-
| quire lime placed in their bed. Well
rotted COW manure or bonemeal with a
little leaf mold, Is excellent.
One enemy OF the iris, particu-
larly the Japanese iris, are green
| worms which attack the leaves. These
can be successfully destroyed through
the use OF one or two sprayings Of
arsenate OF lead. Another enemy is
the green aphis. which Is extremely
! fond OF the bud, but they can be
| gotten rid Of through an application
Of good nicotine solution.
II II Is desirable to conserve space
| plant row Of mixed flowers, par
| ticularly those that flower about the
same type. placed regularly, so that
when the earlier have passed blossom
the later ones will show color.
For an experiment, many people
plant only few roots a yard or two
apart filling in for the first year or
two ANIMALS which can be replaced
by the addition OF the iris. 1t is
better to commence slowly and All in
spaces afterward. as It adds to ones
pleasure to constantly introduce new
specimens in accordance with the right
color scheme. Take for instance a row
planted with the German iris, the
common bearded type. the true F1eur
| de Luce. these bloom the latter part
OF May and early June, being about
two feet in height and sending
forth a great abundance OF snowy.
| beautiful tinted flowers OF every
color imaginable. II these are to be
planted for border cultivation they
should not be planted too near tho
! front edge of the garden, as they
grow shabby after a time and need
the friendly screening OF low ANIMALS
that do not interfere with their beauty
but which later on will grow tall
enough to shield the yellow. droop-
ing flags.
A popular type is a solid gold color,
with vivid shade of reddish chest
nut, known as the Fro" Another
popular variety which should not be
forgotten Is the Avalon, the meadow
variety. which shows a monstrous
flower Of perfect form and OF a lovely
pink lavender color.
There is one flower, known as the
Blue Roof Iris Of Japan, that has
connected with 1t a very charming
legend. Many years ago, when that
country was in the grip of a consum-
Ing famine. the Emperor commanded
his subjects to dig up from their gar
dens every Towering plant, and use
| the land for grain. The housemothers
were in despair. because the roots of
the Tactorum iris was what they
used to make their face powder with.
One woman more resourceful than the
rest removed hers to the thatch on
the roof. where it quickly took root,
and to-day many lovely blue flags can
DO seen waving happily from bits of
thatch.
One particular advantage in the use
OF this charming flower is that It is
90 effective for indoor use. They