THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN QUIDE. 19 



the wild wood rings, and freah the green grass springs." As compared 

 with the flowers of other seasons, the flowers of spring maj be com- 

 pared to the clear enlivening days of their season of blooming as 

 contrasting with the dreary, hazy days of midwinter in London. This 

 would be triie if only a single family of spring flowers was in 

 existence, and that family the crocus ! There is nothing to be seen 

 in British gardens throughout the year more beautiful than a variety 

 of the best kinds of crocus, fully blown on a sunny spring day. 

 But though I well know that such crocuses as Sir Walter Scott, 

 La Majestueuse, Albion, and Bride of Lammermoor, are not half so 

 much grown as they deserve, I am not going to speak of them, or 

 tulips, or hyacinths, or any other class of plants whose beauties have 

 often been written about. I know the readers of the Flokal Woeld 

 can appreciate novelty if any readers can, and particularly that 

 novelty which is exquisite and beautiful, and I want to introduce to 

 them some of earth's fairest flowers — lady-like flowers as a natural 

 consequence. Well, then, before introducing my " first favourite," 

 I will ask all ladies fond of a floral gem to select a fancy little spot, 

 on a rockwork, or raised border, or any other place fully exposed to 

 the sun and free air, and where nobody can disturb the thing planted, 

 that we may have a place to show and receive him. Scoop out that 

 spot to the depth of twelve or fifteen inches, and fill it with light 

 sandy earth if the soil is not naturally such. Ladies, Mr. Iris reti- 

 culata. As I cannot introduce him in a full-blown state at this 

 season, his flower may be described as the most beautiful of any of 

 his transcendently beautiful family. The flower of Iris reticulata 

 is of the richest blue purple, with a centre of golden yellow on each, 

 petal. When first bright days of spring return, this, by far the 

 earliest, as well as most beautifully-coloured iris, appears, and soon 

 opens into flower. It does not grow more than six or eight inches 

 high. It forces freely, but few, if any, can aff"ord it for that. It is 

 delieiously scented. These qualities surely entitle it to the special 

 protection of the ladies. Many of them must only take my word for 

 it till they see the plant in flower. Then, and not till then, can its 

 loveliness be appreciated. Plant in the careful spot already found 

 out, and mind that nobody meddles with the place, except those 

 who know the plant and its value. 



It difiers from most other irises by being bulbous and dying down 

 like the crocus, having a root nearly similar. This is all the better 

 for London and town gardening, as the leaves are at rest when the 

 smut and bad weather most prevail. The only nurserymen that 

 grow the plant extensively at present are the Messrs. Backhouse, of 

 York, but many can supply it. The Dutch growers have it, no 

 doubt, and I hope it will some day be plentiful. Those with a soli- 

 tary specimen, and without a nice place to grow it in, such as I 

 have described, may advantageously keep it in a pot in a cold pit 

 or frame near the glass till it has increased. 



Now I do not wish to expatiate too much upon spring flowers, 

 having a few other things of beauty to talk of, but we must find 

 half a dozen companions for this exquisite little Spaniard. Of 

 course, every lady that loves or cultivates spring flowers has that 



