18 
were absolutely essential for reliable work on the possibility of 
modifying inheritance by experimental treatment of germ cells. 
Iris Project 
The Garden has had the helpful cooperation of the American 
Iris Society, and of various individual members of it, in con- 
tinued work on the Iris Project. As previously stated, this 
project is confined to the beardless irises, and includes a com- 
parative study of varieties, nomenclature, methods of cultivation, 
breeding, and iris diseases. A large number of accurate and 
very beautiful colored illustrations by Miss Maud H. Purdy are 
accumulating, and it is hoped that funds may become available 
during the coming year to make it possible to include reproduc: 
tions of these in a monograph on this group of Iris. A fuller 
report of the work is given on pages 32-33, by Dr. George M. 
Reed, who has the project in charge. 
Non-technical summaries of the year’s investigations are given 
on pages 25-50, following. 
Plantations and Grounds 
The New Fence 
iv 
Work on the erection of the new “ wrought iron” fence sur- 
rounding the Botanic Garden property was completed during the 
year. The new fence not only serves the purpose for which it 
was intended, but also serves to emphasize the need for proper 
entrance structures at the various gates. 
Gardening Operations 
In addition to the regular maintenance operations, considerable 
replanting and regrouping has been necessary, particularly in the 
group of the apples and their relatives. The details of this work 
are more fully recorded in the appended report of the Horti- 
culturist, Mr. Free. 
Work on the plantations did not begin until April.5, over two 
weeks later than usual. The delay was occasioned chiefly by 
inadequate appropriations for labor. Fortunately the Spring was 
an unusually late one. 
