HELPFUL 
VARIETY DATA FOR HYBRIDIZERS 
Ever since we started supplying data to aid hybridizers, they 
have been eagerly requesting more and more information. They 
want not only general information on methods and principles, but 
much specific data on individual varieties and their suitability for 
breeding purposes. Accordingly, we have assembled the wanted 
material from a wide variety of sources, and this year present this 
to you in our variety descriptions. Many of these now include one 
or more of the following three distinct types of information: (1) 
Notable descendants, (2) Chromosome numbers, and (3) Variety 
Potency. 
When we present so much special information, our space avail- 
able is always much less than we would like. So we cannot give all 
data for every variety every year. But we will plan each year to 
remove some of the details regarding certain varieties in order to 
make room for extra details on other varieties. Then, of course, 
new varieties are continually appearing. Therefore, to preserve a 
full set of data for hybridizers, one should retain a file of all of 
our catalogs. 
Notable Descendants Throughout our variety descriptions 
of Tall Bearded Iris varieties we have incorporated much-sought 
material revealing for hybridizers the most notable varieties that 
have descended from the variety under discussion. Nowhere else 
will you find this information assembled in this handy form. That 
is, we try to give an insight as to what you may expect to result if 
you use this variety in your own crossing. See, for example, our 
descriptions of SPINDRIFT, page 7; SNOW FLURRY, page 14; 
TOBACCO ROAD, page 10; AZTEC COPPER, page 8; MEXICO, 
page 8; MOROCCO ROSE, page 7; FLORENTINE, page 14; PRAIRIE 
SUNSET, page 8; GREAT LAKES, page 14; CHINA MAID page 6; 
and BRYCE CANYON, page 8. But remember, both parents should 
be carefully selected. If you are, for example, using a fairly old but 
promising variety as the seed-parent, be sure to take. your pollen 
from a suitable recent introduction. This will materially increase 
your chances of creating new hybrids that will bring forth spon- 
taneous exclamations of admiration. The latest and finest of today’s 
Iris, though mostly too new to have named descendants, will be 
heavily represented in the geneologies of the award-winning Iris of 
the future. 
Chromosome Numbers Chromosomes constitute the physi- 
cal basis of heredity and transmission of characteristics, desirable 
and otherwise, from one generation to the next. The number of 
chromosomes varies greatly, and is of significance to both Iris lovers 
and the hybridizers. The older varieties of Tall Bearded Iris mostly 
have 24 chromosomes, the standard number, and hence are diploids. 
The majority of the newer and finer varieties have about 48 chro- 
mosomes and are called tetraploids. These have larger flowers, bet- 
ter substance, greater vigor of growth. Nearly all Symposium Iris 
are tetraploids. A few varieties have 36 chromosomes and are known 
as triploids—and 3 are known to have 60 chromosomes and are 
called pentaploids. Your chances of securing a successful cross 
will be increased if you select as parents varieties having the same 
chromosome numbers, preferably not triploids nor pentaploids. In 
crossing diploids, typical Mendelian ratios may result, but with 
tetraploids the frequencies for the segregation and recombination 
of characters are very different. In order to provide an ever-handy 
source of chromosomal infomation for hybridizers we are giving 
chromosome numbers at the end of the description insofar as this 
is known. Our information has been gleaned from various pub- 
lished and unpublished records, especially a list by Dr. L. F. 
Randolph in Bul. 95 of American Iris Society, and an article by F. C. 
Stern in the English Iris Yearbook. 
Variety Potency We supply much information on the fer- 
tility of different varieties, their production of pollen, and their 
ability to set seed. See for example, our descriptions of CASA 
MORENA, page 8; LADY MOHR, page 17; BLUE SHIMMER, 
page 14; SULTAN’S ROBE, page 7; SNOW FLURRY, page 14; 
BERKELEY GOLD, page 10; BERKELEY BLUE, page 14; ADVANCE 
GUARD, page 14; and SOUTH SEAS, page 14. 
Our information is drawn partly from our own experience, partly 
from correspondence with hybridizers, and partly from various pub- 
lished sources, particularly the Bulletins of the American Iris So- 
ciety. While seed setting and pollen production vary somewhat from 
year to year, still there are present powerful genetic tendencies 
that constitute highly useful guides in hybridizing. We give you the 
best information on these matters that we have—in fact, the same 
information that we will use in planning our own crosses for 1948. 
HINTS 
BEHOLD! 
THE CHROMOSOMES THEMSELVES 

Since we have been besieged with queries as to what the 
mysterious heredity-controlling chromosomes look like, we respond 
with the above camera lucida drawing of the chromosomes of Iris 
For this we are indebted to Tuviah Kushnir and the 
American Iris Society. It may be seen that this species has 20 
chromosomes, as do other true Oncocyclus Iris species. Four of 
these bear appendages called satellites. This drawing was obtained 
by making thin sections of the root tips of this Iris and examining 
them with the aid of a microscope equipped with a camera lucida 
to project the image on paper. 
HOW TO HYBRIDIZE 
Our leaflet entitled “The Technique for Iris Hybridization” 
will be sent free on request with all orders. It is a part of each 
Hybridizers’ Kit, so no need to request it if you order a Kit. 
Our color picture of CLARET VELVET (page 13) shows very 
clearly the parts of an Iris flower of interest to hybridizers. Just in 
back of the fuzzy orange beard, is the slender vertical ANTHER 
that bears the POLLEN. Above this is the white, horizontal STIGMA, 
or lip, on top of which the pollen must be placed. : 
A PREDICTION 
The unmistakable trend today is toward Iris with “The New 
Look’’, that is, the elegant form of LADY MOHR and ELMOHR. 
These ONCO-BEARDED HYBRIDS are now being widely used in 
crossing. We predict that this trend will increase materially, par- 
ticularly now that the prices of both have dropped so much, and it 
may easily go so far over a period of years as to establish this new : 
form as the ideal Iris flower. It is characterized by huge domed 
standards and rounded relatively flaring falls with broad hafts. 
Clear new colors in this form represent the major objectives of many 
hybridizers today. You may depend upon it, we will have these — 
creations, that are as yet only in the minds of the breeders, for you 
atrofusca. 

as rapidly as they appear on the scene and prove themselves worthy. a 
Perhaps. you will, yourself, be the lucky one to produce a ‘‘world- 
beater’’. es 
START WITH SNOW FLURRY is 
It is doubtful if there is any variety that has as much promise 
as a seed-parent as does SNOW FLURRY, and that is available today 
at such a modest price that every beginner can secure it at once 
for hybridizing. See our description (page 14) for some of the 
many outstanding varieties that have already descended from this __ 
favorite. Ordinarily it yields no fertile pollen, but its stigmas are 
readily receptive to pollen of many varieties. Get some really 
superior new creations in bright clear colors for your pollen parents, — 
and then try producing an exquisite ruffled clear pink ‘SNOW — 
FLURRY”’, a blue ‘‘SNOW FLURRY”’, or whatever your fancy dic- 
tates. at 
SNOW FLURRY needs mulching in the coldest regions and in 
such places it is possible that it may not prove quite as suitable 
for breeding as it does in the many other areas. If you live in such — 
a place, another dandy for you to start with would be MOROCCO — 
ROSE (page 7). This hybridizing game is not one of certainties, sO 
try various combinations, just in case certain ones do not set seed 
as well as hoped. oe 










4 The new Hobby that is captivating American flower lovers: Hybridizing to create YOUR OWN new flowers. 

