49 
"An Iris Lover’s Catalog ,” 
Looking Ahead 
(Continued from page 37) 
is worthy of study and watching. Among the new Iris we have on 
test are Snowking, a fine white by Mr. Hans Sass, which he exhibited 
at the National Iris Show at Lincoln. It is tall, branched, and has a 
large clear white bloom; Blithesome is a very soft rounded cream 
white, and early bloomin g;Frozen Foam seems to be a large Moonlight¬ 
like white type; Snow Shadow, a Cardinal derivative with its fine shape 
and substance, but pure white with coerulean blue flush on the falls, 
and a blue beard and of extra heavy sustance; Solitaire, a type of white 
like White & Gold. 
In the plicata class we have three decidedly interesting additions. 
Heretofore we have felt that the pink plicatas were decidedly weak in 
the lack of a variety one could recommend. We were rewarded one 
day in our search by finding the Tarantella of Mr. Hans Sass. It is 
the first larger sized plicata with definite and precise medium pink 
markings; the stem is of good height, and the branching good— 
an Iris with much charm and style. We also think well of Electra, a 
perfectly hardy, large flowered excellent substanced, blue plicata with 
its trim and precise plicata markings. The unique features of this 
large sized plicata are enhanced by golden markings along the beard 
and a fiery orange beard making it most striking and distinctive. Sc- 
duction, Mr. Cayeux’s plicata, is unbloomed with us as yet. 
Many new colors are on the way—salmon colors are very near and 
with them, the orangy and apricot shades will soon be available in 
many shades. Pure violet toned Iris are still to be accomplished and 
the claret colored types still hold room for much improvement. 
While this resume of the new color creations has so far included 
only the Tall Bearded Iris, it could hardly be considered complete with¬ 
out some reference to the Intermediate and Dwarf varieties. We feel 
it merely a matter of time before the Intermediate class of Iris will give 
us colors of almost every type and two weeks of bloom before the 
Tall Bearded varieties start to flower. While much has been written 
about the many fine color types in the Intermediates, we really haven’t 
more than four or five types of color—the field of pinks, blues, blends, 
plicatas and amoenas in the Intermediates being as yet untouched. 
The dainty dwarfs can also be improved, colors purified and var¬ 
ious new types developed. Late blooming dwarfs types are finally 
making their appearance; for the front of the Iris bed, nothing could 
be used to better advantage. We do hope that more people will be¬ 
come better acquainted with and give these little gems their approval. 
In summing up the progress of Iris development as it exists to¬ 
day, fine as it is, I believe there is still much room for further im¬ 
provement, which is an answer to those who say we have reached the 
peak of progress in the field. As a matter of fact, present accomplish¬ 
ments of hybridizers are just the beginning of a far more glorious 
future for the Iris. 
Wliile new varieties with definite color improvements are wanted 
and justified, we feel that breeders and enthusiasts, who think they 
have a good Iris, should remember that Iris fanciers are not interested 
in something "just as good.” To justify introduction and recogni¬ 
tion an Iris should be definitely superior in several points—otherwise 
there is no justification for imposing it on the Iris world. And, unless 
one has a complete collection of varieties or has seen those already on 
the market, it is best not to assume knowledge of them. We do not 
approve of scores and scores of new introductions yearly—we do wish 
to encourage and make sure that the worthy new creations rise and 
gain the recognition and popularity they justify, but are equally em¬ 
phatic in our wish to discourage what might be termed "chaff.” 
Next year this department of our catalog will, we hope, have 
some new and interesting developments to report resulting from the 
193 5 season. 
