34 
During the blooming period as much time as possible was 
devoted to a description of varieties. A full description of a 
considerable number was prepared, the color determinations 
being based on Ridgway’s Color Chart. As a result of these 
studies we were able to become fairly familiar with the charac- 
teristics of a large number of varieties. 
It was possible to visit a number of nurseries during the time 
when the Japanese irises were in bloom. These visits were 
extremely profitable because of the opportunities furnished to see 
large collections of these plants and become familiar: with the 
conditions under which they are grown. 
Mr. Montague Free, horticulturist, planned a set of experi- 
ments designed to give information regarding transplanting, soil 
conditions, fertilizing, etc. A series of eight beds was prepared 
and three varieties, namely, Goldbound, Dominator, and Pyramid, 
were planted in each. Interesting results for the first year have 
been obtained, but naturally such experiments cannot be expected 
to yield final results except after several years’ study. 
The old collection of Japanese varieties at the Garden was 
lifted, sub-divided, and transplanted during the past season. 
This involved the making of several additional beds and made 
possible some rearrangement in the grouping of the varieties. 
A few plants in the collection have died and some attention has 
been devoted to the study of a disease, which is primarily charac- 
terized by the decay of the roots and, consequently, through the 
lack of water, the leaves wither and turn brownish. The rhizome, 
however, remains essentially normal and tends to push out new 
roots and apparently individual plants may recover. The disease 
has been observed in some of the nurseries and it may turn out 
to be a factor of considerable importance in the disappearance of 
plantings of these irises. 
It is a pleasure here to make public acknowledgment of the 
generous contributions of funds and of plants for the Beardless 
Iris Project. A list of the contributors may be found on 
page IOI. 
Public Service 
The Garden as a Park.—Perhaps the largest (not necessarily 
the most important) service which a Botanic Garden renders its 
