Iris Leaf Spot. This is usually indicated 

 by spotting of the leaves which have some 

 what the appearance of a case of measles. 

 While not fatal, it causes the plants to be- 

 come unsightly and tends to lessen their 

 vigor. If the diseased leaves are cut off 

 and burned as soon as noticed, or the upper 

 third or half of the foliage removed en- 

 tirely if the disease is general, this will 

 usually control it as the new fall growth is 

 likely to be normally healthy. Spraying or 

 dusting with any copper or Bordeaux solu- 

 tion is helpful in preventing leaf spot from 

 spreading to uninfected plants. 



Iris Borer. This pest, while fortunately 

 not prevalent in all parts of the country, is 

 one of the most dreaded troubles of the Iris 

 lover. While there has not yet been de- 

 veloped any quick, sure method of com- 

 plete control, the ravages of the borer may 

 be satisfactorily checked in most home gar- 

 dens by taking the following steps: The 

 first conspicuous sign of danger is likely to 

 be the nicked leaf edges. Examine care- 

 fully to detect small borers within the foli- 

 age, as indicated by the green puncture 

 spots; the tips of individual leaves may be 

 cut off and burned. Afterward, watch 

 carefully for any signs of a borer lower 

 down. As they become larger, their pres- 



ence in the foliage is more readily detected. 

 When small, they may be crushed by ] 

 squeezing the leaf between thumb and 

 finger; when larger, they may be killed 

 with^a wire. Little or no damage is done 

 to the plants by the eating of the leaves. 



After flowering, if plants are being 

 transplanted, any borers in the roots will 

 almost certainly be seen if the roots are 

 shaken out or washed off and examined. 

 Sawdust-like exudations from the hole 

 where the borer entered are easily seen; he 

 may either be cut out, or killed where he is 

 with a stiff wire. I think the former method 

 preferable, as the roots may then be 

 cleaned, freed from the mass of moist pro- 

 duct, and treated with permanganate solu- 

 tion (described under root rot), and safely 

 planted. A thorough forking over of the 

 soil when replanting is done later, is likely 

 to destroy any pupae. 



Plants in the open garden, free to wind 

 and sun, are not so likely to be bothered 

 by the borer as they are in closed places, 

 near walls or hedges, or growing with 

 other plants in a border. I have never 

 known of any serious injury from the 

 borer in a commercial planting in an open 

 field, but have heard occasional damages 

 reported. 



A NEW BOOK ON IRISES 



The American Iris Society is now preparing for publication a new and up-to-date book 

 on Irises. Among the contributors are such famous writers and Iris authorities as John 

 C. Wister, Richardson Wright, B. Y. Morrison, J. Marion Shull, and others. It will 

 cover a most complete range of information on the subject, including the various spe- 

 cies, and will be liberally illustrated. The permanently bound volume is priced at $2.50; 

 paper binding is $1.50. Delivery date is set for fall of 1947. 



Join the American Iris Society, membership in which will bring you four meaty 

 bulletins per year. The Society offers the new book "Irises" as a bonus for only 50c in 

 addition to the regular $3.00 annual dues — $3.50 in all. Send your remittance to us, we 

 will do the rest. 



