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Ohio, Oregon, Washington, D. C., New Jersey and Indiana. 
Among those who attended the conference were Dr. E. D. Ball, 
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and Dr. 
W. A. Taylor, Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washing- 
ton. At Ephrata, Pa., the experiments in progress on the resist- 
ance of strains of tobacco to Thielavia root-rot were of special 
interest to the party. 
The American Iris Society was organized on January 29, 1920, 
at the Museum Building of the New York Botanical Garden. 
‘Among the various objects and activities contemplated by the 
Society the following were announced in the circular announcing 
E organization meeting: 
1. Compilation of a list of horticultural eee with their 
parentage, synonyms, originators, and dates of introduction. 
2. A study of the proper classification of Iris. 
3. History of Iris cultivation and of prominent Iris breeders. 
4. Compilation of cultural directions for various species and 
various climates. 
5. Research on Iris pests and diseases. 
6. Establishment of a Test Garden and of Exhibition Gardens 
in various sections of the country. 
7. Promotion of Iris exhibitions, and of the display of Iris at 
flower shows. 
8. Commending varieties of merit; encouraging the production 
of new varieties of real quality, and discouraging the introduc- 
tion of inferior forms. 
9g. Promotion of popular interest in iris, through published 
articles, bulletins, photographs, lantern slides, and lectures. 
The Agreement between the Society and the Brookyln Botanic 
Garden concerning test and show gardens for Japanese irises 1s 
printed on pages 00-00 of this issue. Mr. John C. Wister, of 
Philadelphia, is the first president of the Society, and ite secre- 
tary is Mr. R. S. Sturtevant, who prepared the articles on “ Irises 
from Japan,” on pages 00-00 of this issue of the Recorp. The 
first annual show of the Eastern Region was held at University 
Hall, Wanamaker Store, Philadelphia, on June 1 and 2. The 
exhibit will be held in a different city each year. 
