GREETINGS../^- m g 
Each year we try to bring you something that will be definitely helpful to you in 
selecting and growing irises. 
This year we want to stress the importance of choosing varieties .that are suitable 
to your climate. There is much discussion among iris fans as to what a ‘hardy iris’ 
really is. Any iris can withstand sub-zero temperatures if it is in a dormant condi¬ 
tion. Some irises go dormant seasonally, while others become dormant only when 
very dry. The ones that have a natural dormant season are the ones best adapted to 
a changeable climate such as we have in the middle west, and so are ‘hardy’ for us. 
They ripen and get ready for winter naturally even through our fall rains. But the 
‘tender’ varieties, those that have come from mesopotamica and other tender strains, 
keep on growing as long as they have moisture and so are too full of sap to stand 
heavy freezing. If they are protected from fall rains they stop growth and winter 
quite well. 
We have kept behavior records on every iris in the garden for many years, and 
when a variety shows a tendency to strong growth late in the fall it is marked for 
discard unless it is outstanding enough to warrant extra care. There are so many 
fine irises that are perfectly hardy that it seems foolish to waste time with the tem¬ 
peramental ones. Each description includes definite notes on growing habits which 
we hope will be a help to you in your selection. 
We have included many suggestions for color combinations. These groupings 
have been tried and found most effective in our own gardens. There are such won¬ 
derful possibilities for color schemes with iris that it seems too bad to plant with so 
little thought for color harmony as is sometimes used. Try planting for iris pictures 
and see how much fun it is. 
This year we are using the American Iris Society ratings with our descriptions, 
hoping that these will be helpful to you. No rating system is ever perfect, but the 
compiled opinions of hundreds of judges all over the United States ought to be of 
value to us. We believe that any variety rated 85 or over is a very good iris, ana 
those rated above 90 are exceptionally fine. There are only a few in our catalog that 
are rated less than 85, so we believe you are safe in choosing your iris from our lists. 
I ERMS OF SALE —Please Read Gainfully Before Ordering 
PLEASE ORDER EARLY—Orders are filled in rotation as received, beginning about 
July 1st, unless later date is specified. 
SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT on all orders received before July 1st. 
POSTAGE PREPAID on all orders of $2.00 or more. For orders of less than $2.00 
add 15c for packing and postage. 
WE DO NOT SUBSTITUTE WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. Please add a few 
second choices in collections to save time and correspondence. 
TERMS—Cash with order—by check, draft or money order. 
WE GUARANTEE OUR STOCK TO BE STRONG, HEALTHY AND TRUE TO NAME 
AND TO REACH YOU IN FIRST CLASS CONDITION. 
GENEROUS EXTRAS WITH ALL ORDERS—ESPECIALLY EARLY ONES. 
