At 10:47 AM 3/13/2007, you wrote: >Dear Jim, > > I want to become a Chinese herbalist! I intend to get Iris anguifuga, >but I don't want to keep snakes away, I like having them in the garden. Too >bad the mice don't; I only wish they got hungry oftener. > > Now, how to say it kindly and gently: "This species has been grown by >Chinese herbalist for centuries, but never brought into cultivation >until..." That's what an English boy would say! Hahaha... I never thought of it in those terms, but you're absolutely right. And I'm glad you said it so kindly and gently. :-) Dennis in Cincy