85 



germination conditions being similar. The susceptible parents 

 gave practically 100 per cent, infection at both temperatures. 

 The second generation plants, in general, showed a higher per- 

 centage of smutted individuals at the higher temperature, with also 

 an increase in the number of blasted plants in Feterita and in 

 hybrids involving Feterita. 



Comparison of Infection Results in Greenhouse and Field. — 

 Experiments were carried out in order to determine the possible 

 influence ot planting distance on infection of sorghums. Varieties, 

 as well as second generation plants of certain hybrids, gave prac- 

 tically the same results when planted in the field spaced 4 inches in 

 rows 2)f. feet apart, and when spaced 1 inch in rows 1 foot apart. 

 Similar results were obtained in the greenhouse when the rows 

 were 7 inches apart. More plants failed to mature in the closer 

 plantings. 



Assistants. — L Miss Shirley Amkraut, a graduate of Hunter Col- 

 lege, rendered valuable services in work preparatory to planting 

 during the months of April to June. Mr. Sidney Wiesner, a 

 graduate of Brooklyn College, assisted in the field work during 

 the months of July and August. 



Tin-: Iris 

 By George M. Reed 



Further studies on the hybridization of iris obtained from the 

 Southern United States have been made. A considerable number 

 of second generation plants of various crosses has been grown, a 

 wide range of types having been secured, especially when Iris 

 fulva is used as one of the parents. Miss Louise Mansfield made 

 watercolors of the flowers of a few of the first and second gen- 

 eration plants. 



Further identifications and descriptions of the Japanese iris 

 varieties were made. Excellent material was available due to the 

 very favorable season, which was later and lasted for a longer 

 period than in recent years. The varieties of the Nishida strain 

 oi Kumomoto iris made an especially fine showing. Additional 

 watercolors by Miss Louise Mansfield were made. Following the 

 flowering period a great deal of rearranging and transplanting was 

 carried out, both at Larmingdale and the Botanic Garden. 



