212 Tall Bearded Iris 



Some varieties will cross well with some, but not 

 with all other varieties. Plants from species closely 

 allied can usually be more easily successfully crossed 

 than others more distantly related. What will answer 

 best under any particular circumstances can be definite- 

 ly determined only by experiment. 



When floriferousness (see under Blooming, page 153) 

 is a character especially sought in making a cross, a 

 trojana is frequently selected as one parent. When 

 large size of flower is a character especially desired, 

 Amas (Fig XLI, page 145) is frequently used as pollen 

 parent. 



As just stated, the germanicse are generally seed- 

 sterile. Only very seldom is there an exception; but 

 one exception, Amas (a widely known germanica) fur- 

 nished a surprise for flower lovers — a veritable sen- 

 sation. Mr. E. B. Williamson, Bluffton, Indiana, for 

 several years pollinated many of the flowers of a clump 

 of Amas, unsuccessfully. One year (1910) having a 

 good lot of the plant he pollinated every flower with 

 mixed pollen. One pod set and it contained a single 

 seed of enormous size from which came the wonderful 

 Lent A. Williamson, one of the finest varieties — 

 some think it is the very finest — ever produced in 

 this country. 



Process of Pollination. — Most varieties (see page 

 205) can be pollinated readily, and will produce 

 good results, if the work is undertaken at the proper 

 time (at maturity of the material used, pollen and 

 stigma) and under proper weather conditions (when 

 the flower is not wet with dew or rain, and no rain 



