HYBRIDS AND HYBRIDISING 47 



account, with plate, is given in The Gardeners' Chronicle 

 of Nov. 30, 1901, p. 397. 



For future work the re-introduction of /. chrysantha 

 is much to be desired. Its narrow leaves and large 

 bright yellow flowers make it a very desirable parent 

 to cross with plants having other marked features. 

 Meanwhile, perhaps, the Pumila group is worth atten- 

 tion, with the object, for instance, of retaining dwarf 

 habit while increasing the size of the flower. 



Some interesting hybrids have been raised in the 

 Xiphion section, and the fine Iris "Thunderbolt" is 

 sufficient to suggest experiment. Its origin is not re- 

 corded, but it is almost undoubtedly a hybrid, and is 

 suggestive of things that might be. /. hyerensis, a 

 peculiar-looking plant, is said to be a hybrid between 

 an Apogon and a Xiphion, but more information is re- 

 quired. /. Histrio and /. Bakeriana are perhaps worth 

 attention. 



In the Juno section Mr C. G. Van Tubergen has 

 raised the interesting hybrid smdjarensis X persica. 

 This is said to be charming, and no doubt there are 

 great possibilities in working with allied parents. One 

 of the most gaily painted of all Irises is /. Rosenbachiana, 

 and I am not aware that any cross has been made with 

 it. The new Irises, Tauri and stenophylla, almost promise 

 good results, if crossed judiciously. 



Upon the manipulation of flowers, when it is desired 

 to effect a cross, very little need be said. Certain pre- 

 cautions are regarded as necessary, and the chief con- 

 sideration usually concerns the flower that is to produce 

 the seed. Before any pollen can have fallen the anthers 

 must be removed ; and this is easily done in Iris, some- 

 times, by gently unfolding the bud when sufficiently 

 advanced, then picking out the anthers with small 

 forceps. In any case there is no difficulty, and slight 



