as) 
forms of /ris Kaempferi collected in different parts of Japan were 
also received. These grew very successfully and most of the 
clumps flowered, although not in their fully characteristic manner. 
In another year it will be possible to make comparisons between 
the flower characteristics of the plants from different localities. A 
large number of seedlings, both of the wild form as well as the 
cultivated varieties, are now growing, and a few may be expected 
to bloom in 1932. All of these came from seeds secured in 
Japan in 1930. 
A large number of crosses between different varieties of Japa- 
nese iris were made during the past season. In making the 
crosses, various characteristics of the individual parents were con- 
sidered. A very large proportion of the attempts at crossing ap- 
peared to be successful. It will of course take two or three years 
to determine the final results, when the plants obtained come into 
flower. 
We now have nearly 500 varieties in the collection, and the sea- 
son of 1931 was a successful one from the standpoint of the 
abundant flowering. Practically all of the varieties bloomed. 
The varieties had been grouped on the basis of the scheme of 
classification which had been worked out, and it was possible 
readily to compare the closely similar kinds. Additional correc- 
tions in identification were made, and further descriptions of 
varieties were written. 
In 1929, 75 varieties were introduced from Japan, and these 
bloomed quite satisfactorily this year. Unfortunately, fully fifty 
per cent. of them were incorrectly named, the same variety ap- 
pearing two or three times under different names. 
The American Iris Society held its Annual Meeting at the 
Garden on June 30th, at the time when the Japanese iris were at 
their height. By far the larger number of varieties were in ex- 
cellent bloom on the date of the meeting, and it was possible for 
those who attended to observe the characteristics of the different 
varieties. 
Relatively few plants died during the past season, although in 
previous years we have lost a large proportion of plants, largely 
through the fly maggot (Chactopsis fulvifrons). Early in the 
spring the dead leaves were burned over the dormant. plants. 
