Forenord 
GREETINGS FOR 1948 
Spring is here! Its return is a gladsome release from 
the most snowy winter that New England has endured since 
the first official keeping of weather records. We have had 
snow, rain, and sleet, but the day has come when the pulsa- 
tions of spring make us look forward to the flowering of new 
plants, and the welcoming of old time favorites. 
Color has universal appeal, and the enduring charm that 
a garden gives depends largely on the arrangement and 
continuance of color throughout the summer. It is with this 
thought in mind that I suggest the use of all forms of iris 
and hemerocallis for they are perennials that thrive well, 
and with careful selection will give the succession of bloom 
that is so much desired by all gardeners. 
Each year, we endeavor to see most of the newest iris, 
and in doing this travel to many parts of the country, se- 
lecting seedlings from different hybridizers that we think 
worthy of being grown in our garden with the idea of in- 
troducing them to the public if they prove distinctive from 
other varieties, and are dependable in our northern climate. 
Also we use the same discrimination in choosing iris that 
are introduced through other gardens, for we wish to list 
only those that are worthy garden subjects. 
For the benefit of those that are not acquainted with 
our catalogues we are giving the following bit of explana- 
tion. After most Bearded Iris varieties you will see initials, 
and numbers, by consulting page 2 of the catalogue you 
will find the definitions covering them. The ratings and 
awards have been compiled by the Committee on Awards 
and Ratings of the American Iris Society, and represent 
the consensus of Judges appointed by the Society, in all 
points of the country. Although numerical ratings were dis- 
continued for 1947 by the American Iris Society I have in- 
cluded those of previous years for I am convinced that we 
need ratings that will be understandable to the average 
gardeners, so if they are not familiar with the newer varie- 
ties they can gain some idea of their value. 
This year we have the pleasure of adding a prominent 
Eastern Horticulturist to those for whom we introduce, and 
following our custom, we are giving you a brief outline of 
his work in hybridizing and other activities. 
Mr. H. F. Hall of Moorestown, N.J. has been a breeder 
of flowers and vegetables for many years, and has received 
at least three citations for his splendid work in creating 
new and worthy varieties in the various fields of his work. 
His plant breeding activities commenced while he was Pro- 
fessor of Horticulture at New Hampshire University, Dur- 
ham, N. H. Later he was President of various Boston and 
American Garden Associations, and in 1912 he became the 
Director of Agricultural Research, and Agricultural Pur- 
chasing Agent for the Campbell Soup Co. at Camden, N. J. 
In 1942 he retired and since then he has devoted his time to 
the breeding of better flowers and vegetables. I have had 
several of his selected iris seedlings in my garden for me 
to observe and judge, and last summer I chose two for in- 
troduction in 1948. The red named Color Sargent is a hand- 
some sturdy iris with exceptionally fine form, substance and 
branching. It was admired by many iris judges as it bloomed 
in our garden, and in the garden of Mr. F. W. Cassebeer at 
Blauvelt, N.Y. The yellow under number Y-53 and now 
named Penn Charter won much favorable comment from 
garden visitors. It is a very smoothly finished heavy sub- 
stanced flower of flaring form. Mr. Hall is most critical of 
his seedlings, and his determination is to produce outstand- 
ing iris, and in these two he has been most successful. It is 
a pleasure to introduce them to the public. 
As in previous years, we are introducing several iris 
from other prominent hybridizers. These are distinctive 
both in color and garden value. They have been tested for 
hardiness, and are varieties that we are pleased to introduce. 
Mr. L. Merton Gage of Natick, Mass. needs no introduc- 
tion for he is very well known in the Iris World and has 
produced many fine varieties, among them Rosy Wings, a 
Dykes Medal winner, but this lovely new yellow named Greig 
Lapham seems to be the culmination of his success so far 
in iris. I am most happy to present it to the public. 
From Mr. Jesse E. Wills of Nashville, Tenn. whose beauti- 
ful iris Chivalry won the Dykes Medal in 1947, we have 
chosen a very large brilliant rose-purple, named Tournament 
for introduction this year, An iris that has great carrying 
qualities in the garden, and is very late flowering. 
Each year I marvel at the many beautiful iris seedlings 
created by Dr. Robert J. Graves of Concord, N. H. This year 
we are introducing the iris Admiral Nimitz, a very pure 
white that is quite different from other whites in commerce, 
and lives up to the fine quality of iris from Dr. Graves. 
No matter how occupied Mr. Geddes Douglas of Nashville, 
Tenn. seems to be with iris affairs and personal activities 
he finds time to bring forth many new and lovely iris and 
hemerocallis. Those we have selected for this year are excel- 
lent examples of his skill. Olympian is a tall, imposing iris 
done in shades of buff and rose, while Carousel is a riot of 
blended colors giving the effect of bright-lavender, and 
Pagan Princess is something entirely new in color, a deep 
pink with a brilliant tangerine beard. The hemerocallis 
Peppermint is well named for it is as bright and cheery as 
pink Christmas candy. 
Dr. G. Percy Brown of Barre, Mass. long a member of the 
A.I.S. has been a breeder of fall blooming iris for many 
years. His first introduction was Autumn Elf, and since 
then he has been working to create a larger, better iris that 
will be a dependable fall bloomer even in New England, and 
in Autumn Twilight he has accomplished his desire for here 
it blooms in Aug. Sept. and October. 
Spuria iris are increasing in popularity as gardeners be- 
come better acquainted with their beauty and great value in 
the garden, also their adaptability to use in flower arrange- 
ment. Mrs. T. A. Washington of Nashville, Tenn. has been 
hybridizing Spurias for several years, and has produced 
many fine ones, but the two that we are presenting this year 
seem even more lovely than those of previous introduction. 
They are: Blue Acres, a large very pale blue with crisp firm 
finish, and Golden Sceptre, a handsome yellow of outstanding 
beauty. All of the Spurias from Mrs. Washington are 
thoroughly hardy. 
The Horticultural world owes a debt of gratitude to Mrs. 
J. Norman Henry of Gladwyne, Pa. for the wonderful work 
she has accomplished in collecting rare species and varieties 
of plants, and those that love dainty charming iris should be 
doubly grateful for the two delightful variations of cristata 
iris that we are introducing this year. They are: Crested 
Ivory, a dainty milk white flower, and Crested Gem, a pale 
China blue of exquisite beauty and form. 
This year we are introducing two iris of my own that have 
won warm approval from iris judges. They are Bold Venture, 
a two toned rose-violet, in effect almost an amoena; and 
Bronze Brocade, a lustrous warm blend of coper-red and 
tobacco brown. Both are heavy substanced and late blooming. 
Our Hemerocallis Introductions for 1948 follow the iris 
Introductions in the catalogue. They have been selected with 
great care, and represent a wide choice of colors, 
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. 
