Joiewcrl^ 
In these days of strife and uncertainty we experience a deep, abiding satisfaction in our work 
with iris. Working in the soil gives a source of simple pleasure unequalled in any other occu¬ 
pation. Nothing, in fact, would please us more than to be able to spend the rest of our days 
working with our flowers — attempting to breed new colors, new types, new vigor into exist¬ 
ing varieties, hoping some benevolent being, in the meantime, would keep the pot boiling and 
woodbox filled. In this, our twelfth edition of An Iris Lover's Catalog, our aim and guiding 
principle remains the same as it has through the years — to present the whole of the iris situa¬ 
tion in its true perspective. If the thoughts, observations, and ideas embodied in this catalog 
can stimulate in you even a portion of the enjoyment and satisfaction we get from iris, we 
will feel our efforts richly repaid. 
Ten years time has wrought amazing changes in the iris picture. A decade ago a handful 
of hybridizers worked with the iris attempting to produce new, more beautiful flowers. Today 
iris breeders are sprinkled the length and breadth of the land. So much progress has been made 
in the iris that today the standard of excellence a seedling must attain to be considered worthy 
is high indeed. Catalogs have become littered with hundreds of varieties, lists so imposing and 
confusing the beginner recoils in confusion. One of our missions in this iris catalog is to take 
the beginner by the hand through this maze of iris varieties and “give him the lay of the land.’’ 
Time, thought, and observations of a period of years have gone into our selection of varieties 
and comments. We have tried to avoid the stigma high price and press ballyhoo attach to an 
iris and have attempted to judge it solely on its merits. Personal taste or performance due to 
climatic variance may cause you to differ with our choice but that is to be expected and we think, 
on the whole, your choice will correspond with ours far more than it will vary. Be broad¬ 
minded and let your common sense rule and you will be a pretty good judge of iris. 
Now new knowledge of iris breeding enables our hybridizers to produce iris of unbelievable 
loveliness by a comparatively short route. Whereas the pioneers in iris breeding had to work 
years to attain desired results, modern-day breeders have the benefits of these years of patient 
labor and know what pitfalls to avoid. Consequently, each year brings a crop of really beautiful 
new flowers. We believe a breeder’s enthusiasm should not be allowed to run rampant, however, 
and unless a seedling is a distinct impovement over a variety already on the market, we think it 
should be withheld from commerce. Nothing is more detrimental to spreading of love of iris 
than flooding the market with high-priced varieties so similar that the amateur cannot detect 
a difference. Our catalog lists iris introduced as many as 10 years ago. A really good iris does 
not necessarily have to be a new iris and until these older iris are definitely surpassed, they 
will continue to hold their place in our listing. 
During the last three years iris breeders have succeeded in getting some distinct “breaks” 
in color. These are of the utmost significance to the future of the iris because they open the 
avenue to shades and tones of colors hitherto thought unobtainable. Through our travels over 
the country to the important iris centers and by our observations and discussions with 
important iris critics, we have ample opportunity to study the yearly crop of new iris. Because 
of the flood of new varieties we have exercised very severe judgment in deciding what new 
varieties to offer to the public each year. Our record for introductions of consistently high 
standard can be compared with any and not be found wanting. Our goal is quality rather than 
quantity. In our opinion too many of the iris put on the market are inferior. These we have 
passed up and have not added to our listing. 
In 1936 we offered rich, charming Golden Treasure; in 1937 pink-blended Angelas and pure 
blue-toned Exclusive; in 1938 black Ethiop Queen, velvety Bonsor, and faultless Matterhorn. We 
consider these some of the finest iris introduced in recent years and opinions coming to us from 
all over the country substantiate our belief. This year it is our proud privilege to present an 
iris which we consider an outstanding advancement in iris production. It is the gorgeously- 
colored salmon-orange iris. May Day, a seedling of Mr. David Hall. It really merits all the 
high praise it has received from the iris critics and we anticipate the brightest future for this 
fine production. 
Another iris season is here. It is our earnest hope that this catalog — a catalog by an iris 
lover for iris lovers — will help you to get some of the supreme joy from this beautiful flower 
that we experience. 
Schreiner’s Iris Gardens 
Riverview Station, St. Paul, Minnesota 
Show Gardens located at 1350 S. Robert St. 
Telephone: Riverview 3799 
