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. 
fris.—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 cui- 
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. Denson, 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 
