♦. iforeloort).. 
Again we come to the writing of the Foreword, and on this April morn¬ 
ing there is a soft earthy fragrance in the air which portends the coming of 
warm spring days, assuring the glad certainty that soon there will be 
another season of beauty in the garden, and after all what is there to com¬ 
pare with the glory of a fresh green world. 
During the last few years it has been impressed upon me that the gar¬ 
dens of most lasting beauty are those in which hardy perennials are used 
extensively, for it is on them the permanence of bloom in a garden depends. 
In every planting from the most elaborate to the simplest it is well to have 
a definite plan, for the individuality of a garden is always a source of in¬ 
spiration to the owner, as well as the personal satisfaction achieved in the 
display of beautiful specimens, so combined that they give splendid color 
combinations and continuous bloom from early spring until late fall. Great 
care is needful however, to secure both a pleasing arrangement of plants 
and a tasteful harmony of colors, for without these two fundamentals the 
best cultivated border cannot be a success. 
This year, we find a slightly different classification of the Bearded irises. 
The Directors of the American Iris Society have decided that all Bearded 
irises shall be classified according to the height of the bloom stalk rather 
than by season of bloom, therefore the Dwarf section includes all varieties 
up to 15 in. in height, the Intermediate those from 16 in. up to and including 
28 in. and the Tall Bearded all over 30 in. In the past the name Intermediate 
when applied to irises, conveyed the meaning that they were intermediate in 
their time of bloom, in other words, between the Dwarfs and Tall Bearded. 
The Directors feel that the old classification caused many of the fine lower 
blooming irisesi to be overlooked, when really they are very essential, not 
only to plant in front of the taller varieties, but for color effect and finish 
to the iris border. 
It is to be deplored that we do not find better varieties of perennials, 
especially irises, on most estates; usually it is in the smaller garden that 
wo see the better irises. I think the chief reason is that Landscape Archi¬ 
tects who create these large plantings like sweeps of color, and many of 
them have not taken the time to become familiar with the newer and better 
varieties which will give greater masses of superior color, and at the same 
time show individual beauty in size, form, and finish of the flower, while 
the person closely associated with the planning of their own garden gen¬ 
erally make their own selections from the garden of an iris specialist where 
they can choose the blooms best suited to their color schemes. 
Within recent years, the most important addition to the floral world 
has been the modern race of hemerocallis or daylilies. Incomplete indeed 
is a planting without a generous number of these lovely flowers for they 
will add charm and vitality to any garden, so plant them extensively and the 
result will be most gratifying. Hemerocallis are among the garden indis- 
pensables, and always command the admiration of those looking for improve¬ 
ment :n their gardens for they are so vigorous and dependable, requiring 
little care and with proper selection will give continuous bloom from May 
to October. 
In the hemerocallis list there are several new ones of my own; as well 
as those from other breeders, and they show plainly what great advancement 
has been made in the creation of new and outstanding varieties. Dr. A. B. 
Stout of the New York Botanical Garden is the foremost hybridizer for he 
has produced more distinct breaks in color than any other person working 
along this line. Aside from those listed in the catalogue, I have nearly all 
of his named varieties growing in my garden, but as I take great pride in 
sending out only strong well developed stock* I think it advisable not to 
offer these for sale until they have increased in size. 
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