31 
Reports by members of staff on investigations during the year 
will be found on pages 55-66. Six papers have been published 
and reissued as Brooklyn Botanic Garden Contributions (see 
p. 118). 
The manuscript on the vegetation of Mt. Desert Island 
(Maine) in its relation to that of Long Island, mentioned in my 
preceding annual report, still remains unpublished for lack of 
funds. 
Beardless Iris Project 
In the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Recorp, for July 1925, a 
brief account was given of the plans for the test garden for 
beardless irises, established at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 
cooperation with the American Iris Society. A definite project 
was outlined with a view to solving some of the problems connected 
with this group of plants. The main studies are concerned with 
the Japanese varieties commonly referred to as Iris kaempfert. 
The following outline was prepared by Dr. George M. Reed, 
curator, who has immediate charge of this project. 
1. Identification of Varieties and Nomenclature-—At present it 
is extremely difficult to correctly identify a Japanese iris. The 
same name has been applied to two or more different plants, and 
also the same variety has been listed under different names. 
A number of importations of these irises originally came from 
Japan and in addition irises from seed have been grown. In 
order to properly identify the varieties and apply to them the 
correct name, it is essential that all named plants be obtained 
and grown side by side. 
2. Description and Illustrations of Varieties ——When we have a 
complete collection of varieties it will be possible to prepare 
accurate descriptions of them. It is also highly desirable that 
accurate colored drawings of the distinct varieties be prepared 
and made available. Only a few illustrations can be made in 
any one year since they have to be prepared from living plants 
and the blooming period is comparatively short. 
3. Classification.—With the proper identification and descrip- 
tion of varieties it may be possible to prepare a convenient 
classification based on color and other distinctive features. It 
may also be feasible to pass upon the merits of the different 
