Dig and divide

I am one of those newbes.  About 5 years ago I
stuck (literally) some Iris rhizomes in the
ground.  They took off and have gotten so crowed
that it has affected the bloom.  So I have
prepared some additional ground (this time) to
(properly this time) plant the dug and divided
plants from the old bed.

Is there an easier way to get  those huge
rhizomes out of the ground without too much
damage?  As I was working this evening I was
comtemplating dynamite.  I can get a spade in the
ground around the edges but when I try to pry
some of the plants out the only way that I can
get them to let go is to cut off a bunch with
spade.  

As I dig do I just close my eyes and sacrifice
some to get the rest?

I have a bunch of large pieces of rhizome with
out any fans but a good supply of roots.  If I
put them in the ground am I planting them or just
adding to the organic matter in the Iris bed?

The one thing that I can say about these Iris is
that they are disgustingly healthy.  No rot no
borers no nothing but huge rhizomes fighting each
other for space and heavy clay soil baked like a
brick.

Bob Pindell
in the Eastern Suburbs of Cleveland Ohio
Zone 4 with a lot of snow in the winter
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