42 
the Garden, and the plantings are being maintained by the Insti- 
tute in suitable surroundings, where they are available for study 
and inspection by all persons and organizations interested. The 
Iris Garden is primarily intended as a display garden for collec- 
tions of representative varieties of both bearded and beardless 
iris. 
Most of the garden was planted in the summer and fall of 
1935. Of the beardless iris groups, the Japanese were repre- 
sented by 245 varieties and the Siberian by 50. Neither of these 
groups produced much bloom in 1936 but, during the past year, 
they were in very fine condition, practically all of the varieties 
arge flowers on fairly tall stems. 
— 
blooming abundantly, giving 
The bearded iris, represented originally by approximately 350 
varieties, gave about 50 per cent. bloom in 1936. Unfortunately, 
in July and August, rhizome rot appeared, causing very extensive 
damage, which necessitated the complete replanting of these 
varieties. In 1937, good flowers dev a on somewhat more 
than 50 per cent. of the plants. Again, in July and August | 
rhizome rot developed and destroyed a ee proportion of the 
plants, making it necessary to lift and reset them. 
A large number of Japanese varieties have been planted in 
special sections for propagation on the Institute grounds. Some 
of the earlier plantings were utilized in connection with iris thrips 
control. On practically all of these which had been planted in 
1935 or early 1936, excellent bloom was obtained, the flowers 
being large, on well developed stalks. The fine material made 
it possible to check the varieties for correctness of identification 
Some of the earlier propagation sections were abandoned this 
—_ 
year, most of the varieties being reset in a new area in accordance 
with changes in identification. In another year or two they 
should again provide excellent material for study. Exchanges 
of varieties were made with iris growers, thus increasing our own 
collection of newer varieties, particularly of the bearded type. 
Soft Rot of the Iris Rhizome 
During the last two or three years the soft rot of the rhizomes 
of the bearded iris has become a very serious matter. Extensive 
damage has occurred in the varieties growing in the Farmingdale 
Iris Garden, necessitating the lifting and resetting of all these 
