FAIRMOUNT GARDENS 1 
Forenord 
Ges for 1945 and may this year lead to happier 
days for you and yours, ; 
Gardens are precious things to be cherished in our minds 
and hearts for they are like a magic carpet that whisks us 
away from uncertainty into an enchanted realm where for a 
time we can banish the turmoil of the present day. Outside 
there may be tumult, but within there is peace and quiet 
trom which we may gather strength and fortitude. ; 
We are hoping tor better things beyond the horizon and 
our part is to meet today’s demands for changes and read- 
justments, this requires faith and courage. May _we be 
granted ability to help in banishing hatred from this earth 
and in its stead have merey and goodwill throughout the 
world. 
It is more important than ever to grow vegetables and 
flowers and spend as much time as we can spare from war 
time work in our gardens for this will lead to health, happi- 
ness and security. ; ; 
This year we have the privilege of adding four hybrid- 
izers to the list for whom we introduce, and as usual we are 
giving you a brief outline of their work in hybridizing and 
other activities. , 
Professor E. O. Essig of Berkeley, Calif. needs no in- 
troduction to the iris world for all of us are familiar with 
many of his delightful iris, among them, Easter Morn, Sierra 
Blue, Carved Ivory and Song of Gold. Professor of Ento- 
mology at the University of California for many years, he 
has written valuable scientific articles and books on the sub- 
ject of Entomology. In his leisure hours he has carried on 
the breeding of iris along systematic lines, keeping careful 
records and working to produce finer iris that are hardy in 
all parts of the country. It is a pleasure to introduce 
Sousun, a charming heavy substanced pale yellow that re- 
ceived the award of Highly Commended from the American 
Iris Society in 1944. Hardy and vigorous in New England. 
Mr. Orville W. Fay of Wilmette, IIl., the Regional Vice- 
President of the American Iris Society in Region 9, is not 
only a breeder of iris, but chrysanthemums as well, and he 
has been most successful in creating new varieties that are 
exceptionally good. The lovely pale blue iris Lake Breeze 
lives up to the high standard he has maintained in the selec- 
tion of seedlings. I am very pleased to present this charm- 
ing iris that won the award of Highly Commended from the 
American Iris Society in 1944. f 
Mrs. Franklin P. Lowry of Newton, Mass., is one of our 
most efficient American Iris Society members in New Eng- 
land, a quiet person who seems to accomplish easily any task 
that is assigned to her. She is the wife of a very busy 
physician and her hobbies are, first to “keep the home fires 
burning” and then iris. She has been growing and hybrid- 
izing iris for several years and her beautiful new iris Mount 
Hermon is a shining example of her work. A cool and 
stately white that I am delighted to introduce. This iris 
veceived the award of Highly Commended from the Amer- 
ican Iris Society in 1944 and is pictured on the cover of the 
catalogue. . 
Mr. Harold W. Knowlton of Auburndale, Mass., is a 
lawyer with offices in Boston, and as is the case with many 
professional men his hours of relaxation are spent in his well 
planned garden. His particular interest is the breeding of 
ivis with specific emphasis on the tall bearded. He is far 
too modest about his seedlings for his beautiful plicata 
Suzette is outstanding in this class, and an iris that I take 
great pleasure in introducing to the iris world. A _ beautiful 
creamy yellow that received the award of Highly Commend- 
ed from the American Iris Society in 1944. Illustrated on 
inside of the cover. 
As in the past years we are presenting the new intro- 
ductions of the following prominent breeders. These iris 
are distinctive and great advancements in color as well as 
in garden value. They have all been tested carefully for 
hardiness and are varieties that we are proud to introduce. 
For our American Iris Soziety President, Mr. Jesse E. 
Wills of Nashville, Tenn., we are introducing his delightful 
yellow blend Carillon that received the award of Highly 
Commended from the American Iris Society in 1943. A 
glistening pink and yellow of smooth fine texture and great 
lasting qualities. 
Two iris of especial merit were chosen from the seed- 
lings produced by the late Mr. T. A. Washington of Nash- 
ville, Tenn. Blue Crown is a frosty white and blue reverse 
bicolor that is well named for the pale blue standards glisten 
and sparkle like jewels in a crown. Desert Moon is a very 
handsome tall light yellow with large flowers, splendid 
branching and very late blooming habit. 
From Mr. W. J. McKee of Worcester, Mass., we have 
two excellent iris that are most attractive. Miobelle is a 
smooth rose of tall commanding form and extremely firm 
substance, and was given the award of Highly Commended 
by the American Iris Society in 1943. Redwyne a deep ma- 
hogany red with great life in the color and Smooth dense 
finish, this iris received the award of Highly Commended 
from the American Iris Society in 1944. 
Mrs. J. Norman Henry of Gladwyne, Pa., in her exten- 
sive travels has discovered many rare plants and shrubs. 
The forms of iris Verna and Cristata that she has collected 
and propagated are most outstanding and charming. There 
are four that we are introducing this year. They are 
Crested Fairy, a dainty bicolor cristata; Vernal Simplicity 
is a cool refreshing lavender; Vernal Evening, a deep lav- 
ender with dark velvety purple blotch on the falls; Vernal 
Fairy is a charming reverse bicolor of lavender and white. 
From Mr. Kenneth D. Smith of Staten Island, N. Y., 
we are presenting the very lovely iris Lake George that re- 
ceived the award of Highly Commended from the American 
Iris Society in 1944. An impressive flower of medium blue 
with flaring form and gives a very blue effect in the garden. 
The two selections from Mr. Geddes Douglas of Nash- 
ville, Tenn., are most distinctive. In 1943 the charming iris 
Nancy Hardison received the award of Highly Commended 
from the American Iris Society, it is a blended flower of 
warm pink and yellow with the pink predominating and firm 
glistening finish. Illustrated on inside of the cover. Copper 
Glow is a very smooth lustrous blend of rose and coppery 
brown, rich and glowing in color the effect in the garden is 
most brilliant. This iris won the award of Highly Com- 
mended from the American Iris Society in 1944. Also from 
Mr. Douglas we are introducing the stunning deep red 
hemerocallis Black Cherry. For several] years he has been 
hybridizing hemerocallis as well as iris and this is his first 
hemerocallis introduction. 
The Hemerocallis Introductions for 1945 follow the Iris 
Introductions. These have been carefully selected and tested 
for their hardiness, garden value, beauty and distinctiveness. 
We feel certain they will meet with your approval. 
We have added to our catalogue many of the best iris 
introduced by other dealers, using care and thought in choos- 
ing 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 relia- 
bility in our New England climate, and for comparison with 
other new varieties and seedlings. These are on exhibition 
for judges to observe and rate. 
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. 
We wish to thank our patrons for their patience and 
understanding in these strenuous days of help shortage and 
general inconveniences. We shall strive in every way pos- 
sible to merit your confidence and approval. 
