449, REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE ON GENETICS. 
annually used for forcing, is another salient factor in the eventual com- 
mercial importance of this new strain. 
Among species of the reticulata group the mingling of the richly 
coloured J. Bakeriana with selected forms of J. histrioides and I. reticulata 
gave charming combinations of colour among these very early-flowering 
gems. At present the influence of J. Danfordie is not apparent. 
The Juno group of Bulbous Irises, which in the last twelve years has 
received important additions by the introduction of so many Asia Minor 
and Central Asiatic species, presented another field of work. These Irises, 
usually flowering at the time when sharp, late, night frosts occur, are not 
easy to cross, or rather to obtain good seed from, and I find that it is only 
once in eyery four to six years that my patient labours among these give 
Fic. 119.—Tyrr or FLuowrr oF NEW Hysrip X1pHron Iris. 
any satisfactory results, in so far as the obtaining of any seed is concerned. 
My earliest successes in this group came from crossing I. persica 
purpurea with the old I. persica, and from hybrids between J, sindjarensis 
and I. persica. The former I introduced under the name of J. purpureo- 
persica and the latter as I. sind-pers, both obtaining awards from the 
Royal Horticultural and other Societies. Later crosses produced the 
lovely I. sind-pur (I. sindjarensis x I. persica purpurea), I. pur-sind 
(the reverse cross), and others. The principal charms of these early- 
flowering bulbous Irises are their extreme hardiness, their free-flowering 
character, and their rich colouring. 
Ruizomatous Irises.—No section offers greater interest to the plant- 
lover than the extremely interesting and beautiful group of Oncocyclus 
and their near allies the Regelia. Considering the great care that in 
our climate the successful cultivation of the Oncocyclus group demands, it 
