THE IRIS. 269 



plants there should be beds in every flower garden. N. 

 Tazetta, like the hyacinth, may also be grown either in pots 

 or in water-glasses. 



Iris. — The species which peculiarly appertain to the 

 florist are, I. Xiphium and Xiphioidcs, of both of which 

 there are many beautiful varieties. They are of easy cul- 

 ture, succeeding in almost any kind of soil, and requiring 

 to be moved only once in three or four years. The roots 

 are not improved by being kept out of the ground ; and 

 perhaps the best method is, upon taking them up and free- 

 ing them from their shaggy skins, to replant them imme- 

 diately. 



Besides these, may be mentioned the Persian Iris (I. 

 Persica), a low bulbous-rooted plant, with delicate blue or 

 violet-colored flowers, and some degree of fragrance. It is 

 extensively cultivated by the Dutch, from whom bulbs are 

 annually procured. It is sometimes grown in water, but 

 oftener in pots of nearly pure sand. When planted out, it 

 requires to be guarded from frosts and heavy rain. The 

 Snake's-head Iris (I. tuberosa) is also a fragrant species, 

 and is more hardy than the preceding. Mr. Benson, who 

 has been very successful in the culture of this plant, recom- 

 mends, in Gard. Mag., vol. viii., that it should be allowed 

 to stand two or three years in succession on the same spot : 

 when, " in July, take it up and divide the tubers, planting 

 them, soon as dug up, six inches deep in a compost formed 

 of half-friable mould, or old hotbed dung, rotted to the 

 consistence of soil. Let the situation be a dry bed or bor- 

 der, at the base of a wall with a southern aspect, and plant 

 the tubers close to the wall, or only a few inches from it." 

 The Chalcedonian Iris (I. susiana) is the most magnificent 

 species of the genus, and is well worth the labor of the cul- 

 tivator. Its stalk, seldom a foot high, is surmounted by a 



