FAIRMOUNT GARDENS l 




Cforeword 
Gere to you for 1944 with the hope that each day our 
horizon may grow brighter. 
We are passing through dark uncertain days that require all 
our faith and courage. but as certain as the frozen earth in winter 
is astir with life that will show again in spring so must we emerge 
from this unsettled period in our lives to happiness and a more 
complete future. 
Happiness is not hereditary, we must find it for ourselves, and 
only through our own efforts can we combat the sorrows and un- 
pleasant events that so greatly influence our lives at the present 
time. 
So again I urge you to continue to grow vegetables and flowers, 
and spend as much time as you can spare from war time activities 
in your garden, for what better way is there to regain our sureness 
of the eventual stability of this world than keeping close to good 
old Mother Earth. ” 
This year we have the pleasure of adding three hybridizers to 
the list for whom we introduce, and as is our custom we are giving 
you a brief outline of their work in breeding and general activities. 
Our American Iris Society President, Mr. Jesse E. Wills of 
Nashville, Tenn. needs no introduction to the iris world. In busi- 
ness life he is an insurance executive with many responsibilities, 
but in his leisure hours finds relaxation in his hobby of floriculture, 
especially in the breeding of the tall bearded iris. He has been 
interested in hybridizing for several years. planning his crosses 
carefully, and working for certain results, Each year I have 
watched his steady progress and have assisted in the selection of 
seeedlings for further observation and introduction. I am delighted 
to have the privilege of presenting his first introduction named 
Chivalry. It is a large beautifully formed medium blue that gives 
a very clear blue effect in the garden. 
Mr. Fred R. Whitney of Germantown, N. Y. has been in- 
terested in garden and flowers of all kinds for many years, and his 
work in breeding new varieties has been most successful, but so 
far the crowning glory of his activity in the iris is the creating of 
the gorgeous new Siberian iris Eric The Red. The most colorful 
and outstanding Siberian to date, and an entirely new break in 
color. This iris was given the award of Highly Commended by the 
American Iris Society in 1943. 
Mr. F. W. Cassebeer of New York City, editor of our Ameri- 
can Iris Society bulletins is well known in the Horticultural world, 
not only for his excellent work with our bulletins, but also for the 
interesting articles he has written for various Floral magazines, 
His summer home is at Blauvelt, N. Y. and the iris garden is a joy, 
so beautifully arranged and grown. His particular hobby is iris 
breeding and he is far too modest about the seedlings he has pro- 
duced. It is with pleasure that I introduce his sparkling yellow 
and white named Golden Spangle that won the award of Highly 
Commended from the American Iris Society in 1943. 
As in previous years I-am introducing to the public the new 
introductions of the following prominent breeders. 
From Mr. Wentworth Caldwell of Nashville, Tenn. we have 
another fine iris that received the award of Highly Commended by 
the A. I. S. in 1943. Sequatchie is a lustrous blend of metallic 
copper and rose with great carrying qualities in the garden, 
Two were chosen for introduction from Mr. Geddes Douglas 
of Nashville, Tenn, Extravaganza a late flowering amoena that is 
NS 
most outstanding, and Dividend a rich deep yellow of crisp firm 
substance. 
For Mr. W. J. McKee of Worcester, Mass. I am introducing 
the beautiful iris Francelia, a very smoothly finished yellow that 
received the award of Highly Commended by the A. I. S. in 1942, 
This year there are two from Mr. Kenneth D. Smith of Staten 
Island, N. Y. Ellen, a cool pale blue self of unusual charm, ard 
Cascade with its flaring firm flowers of white blooming in a de- 
lighful cascade effect. 
For Mrs. Walter E. Tobie of Portland, Me. we are introducing 
her charming pale pink named Reveille. It is in the “sea-shell” 
pink class and very lovely. 
Dr. Henry L. Grant of Louisville, Ky. has one that we are 
introducing this year. It is named Jasmine and is a broad full 
flower of glowing yellow with a decidedly velvety finish and strong 
firm subtance. 
From Dr. Robert J. Graves of Concord, N, H. we are present- 
ing a most attractive iris called Cloud Castle, and it is a fitting 
name for this ethereal flower of pale Wistaria blue. 
You will find the Hemerocallis Introductions for 1944 follow- 
ing the Iris Introductions. These have been chosen from many 
numbered seedlings and have been highly commended by Hemero- 
callis Judges. 
We have added to our catalogue many of the best iris intro- 
duced by other dealers, using care and thought in choosing them. 
Also at the present time we are growing many named varieties of 
iris and hemerocallis as well as numbered seedlings that have been 
sent by different breeders throughout the country in order that they 
may be tested as to reliability in our New England climate, and 
for comparison with other new varieties and seedlings. These are 
on exhibition for judges to observe and rate. 
Also we have in limited quantities many of the newer hemero- 
callis introductions from Dr. A. B. Stout, among them Dominion, 
Red Bird, Brunette, Zouave, Bertrand H. Farr, and Taruga. There 
is not enough stock to list them in the catalogue, but if you are 
interested in any of these please write me, and probably I can 
supply you. 
As always, I have used care and discrimination in the selection 
of varieties for Introduction by Fairmount Gardens and it is with 
pride and pleasure that I present them to you in this catalogue. 
You are cordially invited to visit the garden at any time that 
suits your convenience. If you are unable to do so, and feel you 
need advice about varieties to choose, write me and I shall use the 
same care as if I were selecting for my own garden. 
There are express trains from Boston to Lowell with good 
taxi service from the station to FAIRMOUNT GARDENS. 
Our Exhibition Garden is located at 166 Fairmount Street, 
Lowell, Mass. and our telephone number is Lowell 2-5121 listed 
under the name of Thomas Nesmith. 
Lowell is about 26 miles from Boston. Coming from Boston 
to Lowell on Route 38, at the Oakland Fire Station (near the out- 
skirts of the city) turn off on to Fairmount Street and at the top 
of the hill you will find Fairmount Gardens. Anyone coming to 
Lowell on other routes should ask for Nesmith Street on which 
you will find Route 38, and then follow above directions, 
