A STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE THOMAS, SUPT. OF THE NEW ORLEANS PARK¬ 
ING COMMISSION, ON THE LOUISIANA WILD IRISES 
For many, many centuries nature has most lavishly developed and taken care of in 
the swamps of Louisiana a family of plants known as the iris. Left to themselves, they 
spread all over the landscape wherever conditions were favorable and appeared in the 
most infinite variety of colors. Dr. Small of the New York Botanical Gardens calls 
Louisiana the iris center of the world, and estimates that there are 200 or more color 
varieties amongst them; but with the advance of civilization such as the opening of the 
land to drainage and cultivation, the paving of highways, real estate development, etc., 
they are fast disappearing from their native habitat. I can recall when the land border¬ 
ing Frenchmen Street from Marigny Canal to Gentilly Avenue was a mass of irises, but 
lately this was made a dumping ground and now scarcely any remain there. There were 
many such localities bordering the outskirts of the city where they were equally abund¬ 
ant and where at the present time not one can be found. So it is necessary, if we do 
not want our heritage of these wonderful irises to become entirely extinct, to collect 
all of the species and varieties that can be found and plant them where they can be 
preserved for future generations. 
I note with a great deal of interest and satisfaction that the perpetuation of these 
wonderful plants is now being taken care of by Dr. C. V. Kraft, the proprietor of the 
Cypress Knee Nursery, located on the west side of the river in New Orleans, (Algiers) 
La. Here the plants are being set out in rows where they may be classified as to color, 
variety, size, etc., and where the seed will be gathered for the future. Doctor Kraft is 
making an intense investigation of these wonderful plants which will result in the pres¬ 
ervation of the native Louisiana wild iris. GEORGE THOMAS. 
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PRIVATE GARDENS TO 
RECEIVE IRIS PLANTS 
More than 1000 iris plants will be 
delivered to New Orleans private 
gardens and almost as many others 
to the botanical field in Audubon 
Park as a result of the Louisiana 
Iris Society sale last week, it was 
announced by officers Sunday. 
The study fields being arranged in 
City and Audubon Parks by the so¬ 
ciety are expected to attract botan¬ 
ists and others- interested specifical¬ 
ly in the iris from all parts of the 
world, according to officers. 
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Irises should be replanted to occupy 
the same relative position as in nature. 
The illustration herewith shows this 
position. When growing in fish ponds 
or aquariums 
under water, the 
top of the rhizom 
also should b e 
just out of the > / / \ 
soil. / CUT 
BACK 
LEAVES 
PRICES OF IRIS RHIZOMS (ROOTS) 
Mixed Colors Only 
ROOTLET; 
In lots of 25 to 50.20c each 
In lots of 50 to 100.15c each 
In lots of 100 to 500.14c each 
In lots of 500 to 1000. 12 V 2 C each 
Shipments of 50 or less are sent parcel post prepaid. 
All other shipments are by express, collect. 
We do not ship C. O. D.—Send certified check, postal or express 
order. 
Qy press JCnee JNursery 
2030 Farragut Street New Orleans, ( Algiers ) La. Phone ALgiers 1503 
