PLATE 1. 
NEW HYBRID IRISES. 
Amongst hardy plants, perhaps there is no genus that excites so 
much admiration as the Iris. At the present time it contains about 170 
species of herbaceous plants, found in various parts of the north temperate 
regions. Owing to the great diversity in size, form, and colour, the 
various species were formerly divided into several distinct genera. Mr. 
J. G. Baker, however, in his hand book on the “ Iridese,” as well as the 
authors of the “ Genera Plantarum,” are agreed that such genera are 
not structurally distinct from Iris proper. 
There are, however, several groups into which the various species of 
Irises naturally divide themselves. One of the most extraordinary and 
interesting groups is that known by the name of “ Oncocyclus,” or “ Cushion 
Irises.” These are chiefly remarkable for their large and beautifully- 
veined and speckled flowers—and their difficult cultivation. Closely related 
to them is another group of Irises, known as the “ Regelia,” in which are 
many fine forms—not so gorgeous in blossom, perhaps, as those of the 
true Oncocyclus section, but of much easier cultivation. 
For some years past attempts have been made to secure a new race 
of hardy Irises by combining the best qualities of the Oncocyclus and 
Regelia groups. Such a race is now an established fact, thanks to the 
enterprise of Mr. C. G. Van Tubergen, jun., of Haarlem. During the past 
eight or nine years he has been fertilising the finest and most perfect 
forms of the Regelia group—such as Korolkowi , vaga , Leichtlini , and 
Suworowi —with pollen from the best forms of such Oncocyclus Irises as 
Susiana , Marice , Lorteti , iberica , Gatesi , Sc. His anticipations have been 
realised to the full, and he has developed substantial blossoms of most 
varied colours. Some of the results of his work are displayed on our first 
plate, of which Mr. Van Tubergen is good enough to say that “ the flowers 
depicted are strikingly life-like, and the plate does full justice to their 
beauty.” The variety at the top of the plate is “ Charon ” (a cross 
between Korolkowi venosa and atropurpurea) ; the figure to the left 
represents “ Thalia ” (a cross between Korolkowi typica and iberica van 
Houttei ) ; while the lower right-hand flower is “ Isis ” (a cross between 
Korolkowi violacea and iberica van Houttei). There are many other 
charming varieties quite as distinct in form and colour as those represented. 
Cultivation. —The true Oncocyclus Irises are notoriously difficult to 
grow 7 successfully year after year. Their magnificent flowers entice many 
to cultivate them, but in the great majority of cases disappointment usually 
succeeds the attraction. The new hybrid Irises, however, to which the 
name of “ Regelio-C)mlus ” has been given, not only flower freely but 
increase rapidly. They delight in a good sandy loam, to which may be 
