FAIRMOUNT GARDENS 1 

Forenord 
(Ge for 1946. May this year lead to more 
normalcy in living throughout the world and less suspicion 
and doubt of other human beings. 
Gardens live on through changing times, tastes, customs 
and traditions, always they have been something to be 
cherished, not only actually but also in our hearts. Today more 
und more people are discovering that gardening is the best 
way to find relaxation and what really counts the most is 
that this is helping them to get away from the hurly-burly 
of the present day for there is nothing more wholesome than 
working with ones hands and enjoying the more simple things 
of life. 
Someone has said that “colors are the smiles of nature’”’ 
and I think this is true judging by the beautiful new iris we 
are introducing from several prominent breeders, who seem 
to have given nature quite a ‘“‘color boost” with their careful 
work in hybridizing. 
One of the treats of the iris season is my trip to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., where I look over and help select seedlings of 
promise from the different breeders living there. The iris we 
are introducing for our American Iris Society President, Mr. 
Jesse E. Wills, lives up to the high standard he has set by 
his first introduction Chivalry, for Russet Wings is equally 
distinctive with its flaring flowers of glistening copper. It 
attracted a great deal of attention in our garden last summer 
and won the ward of Highly Commended. 
Each year, I marvel at the splendid iris of Mr. Geddes 
Douglas, as I go about his garden he seems like a magician 
for always there is something new and lovely. I have been 
very much impressed by the two iris we are introducing for 
him this year. Red Majesty is a tall and imposing rose-red 
with wonderful substance and branching, Amandine is a fit- 
ting contrast to Red Majesty for it is as ethereal in color 
and form as the other is bright and sturdy. both received 
the award of Highly Commended in 1945. Also we are in- 
troducing two hemerocallis from Mr. Douglas, Daily Double 
as the name implies is a double flower of rich orange and 
Moonlight Cocktail a large creamy apricot with an almost 
velvety finish, both have great garden value. 
Through the years Prof. Essig of Berkeley, Calif., has 
given us many fine iris and his accumulated skill in breeding 
has brought forth the beautiful iris we are introducing this 
year. A series of yellows ranging from palest creamy white 
to deep yellow, they are from light to dark; Easter Candle, 
Mission Madonna, Caloma, Golden Morn and Easter Gold. 
Mission Madonna was honored by the award of Highly Com- 
mended in 1945. These have all been tested thoroughly for 
hardiness in our garden. 
Dr. Robert J. Graves of Concord, N. H., is noted for his 
fine iris and he has “outdone himself” in the three iris we 
are introducing of his this year. Kearsarge is a tall and 
stately light blue-lavender with a glistening sheen, and Lady 
Boscawen a very pure white delightfully frilled and ruffled. 
while Helen McGregor is the bluest blue iris that I have seen. 
In 19483 both Helen McGregor and Lady Boscawen were 
awarded Highly Commended by the A. I. S. 
Many American Iris Society members know of the col- 
lection of named yellow iris that Mr. W. J. McKee of 
Worcester, Mass., has on exhibition in his garden and in his 
own new yellow Moontide which we are introducing this year 
he has an outstanding one to add to this group. Rich and 
glowing it was judged well worthy of the award of Highly 
Commended in 1945, 
In the last few years not many hybridizers have had. 
such great success in creating so many iris of exceptional 
worth as has Mr. Orville W. Fay of Wilmette, Bh. and in 
Gulf Stream which we are introducing this year he lives 
up to this high record. A deep dark blue of very clear color 
that was given the award of Highly Commended in 1945. 
Always interested in hybridizing, Mr. Fay has added to his 
list the crossing of hemerocallis, we welcome him to this clan. 
From several very fine seedlings sent to our garden for 
observation by Mr. Carl Carpenter of Owensboro, Ky., we 
selected for introduction Rilla Gabbert as being outstanding, 
not only in its color class but for its great dependableness 
in all kinds of weather. It is a very brilliant rose and henna 
blend with extremely heavy substance, 
Dr. Henry L. Grant of Louisville, Ky., has continued his 
breeding of iris and has been devoting a great deal of time 
to rlanning his crosses. He has created several new ones of 
great merit among them the two we are introducing this year. 
Mount Blane as the name implies is a very pure white and 
Golden Epaulets a heavy substanced cream with rich gold 
epaulets on the falls. 
This year we are introducing two of my iris originations 
which judges seem to like very much. They are Azalea one 
of my new Congo pinks and Sukey of Salem a most colorful 
blended self of red, brown and henna. Both of these iris have 
received the award of Highly Commended, one in 1944 and 
the other in 1945. 
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 
choosing them. Among them are some very beautiful beard- 
less varieties of the Louisiana iris, they have great charm 
and have been tested for hardiness in our garden and they 
have proved their reliability. 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 
ave 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 are deeply grateful for your consideration and pa- 
tience during the war vears and we look forward to serving 
you better and better as conditions become more normal. 
You ave cordially invited to visit the garden at any time 
that suits your convenience but this year especially at the 
time of the National Meeting of the American Iris Society 
which is to be held in New England Jure 6th, 7th and 8th 
with headquarters in Boston. Come and bring your friends. 
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 GAR- 
DENS. 
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 Bos- 
ton to Lowell on Route 38, at the Oakland Fire Station (near 
the outskirts of the city) turn off on to Fairmount Street 
and at the tov of the hill you will find Fairmount Gardens. 
Anyore coming to Lowell on other routes should ask for 
Nesmith Street on which you will find Route 38, and then 
follow above directions. 
