sulphur applied as a dust, or in solution, may help to reduce the 
damage. An effective way to control this soil fungus, if it becomes 
a serious problem, is to move the Iris to another location tempo- 
rarily and treat the soil with formaldehyde. Remove the dead fol- 
iage and burn before spraying or dusting to admit sunlight to the 
base of the clump. 
2. Leaf Spot or Rust. Some of the earlier blooming varieties 
are susceptible to this disease. The infection usually starts at the 
tip of the leaves and works downward. You may have to discard 
the most susceptible varieties. Removal and burning of all the dis- 
eased leaves as soon as they appear will help to control it. A spray 
of Fermate, or wettable sulphur, may also check this disease. 
3. Thrips. This minute insect sucks the sap from the Iris bloom. 
When it occurs in large numbers the blooms wilt. Control by spray- 
ing or dusting with a 5% DDT when the insect first appears. 
If the orioles fly in at Iris blooming time, they may go for the 
nectar in the Iris flower, and tear them up. How to stop them is a 
problem. 
FLOWER SHOW PREPARATION 
How to Prepare Native Irises for Exhibition: 
(1) Three or four days before the show, go over the garden and 
decide what you will exhibit. (2) Label each stalk. (3) Wrap each 
bud loosely in wax or cellophane paper and fasten the wrapping 
securely with pin or paper clip. This is done to prevent damage 
by orioles or insects and to prevent breakage in transporting. (4) 
In late afternoon before the show, cut the stalks 3 inches from 
ground. Place the stalks in a container of water, but do not let 
water cover the buds. Leave in a cool, shady place for at least 12 
hours to condition. (5) Remove the stalks from water and place 
them in a large flat cardboard box for transporting to the show. 
They may be re-soaked if time permits prior to exhibiting. Upon 
arrival at the show, get entry tags and tie them on stalks. Place 
each stalk in container of water where it is to be shown. Then 
remove paper covering from buds and allow to unfurl. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
The author is indebted to Claude W. Davis, Ira S. Nelson, Miss 
Bertha Lee Ferguson, Miss Marjorie B. Arbour, and Mrs. Joe G. 
Richard for the encouragement and assistance in preparing and 
reading the manuscript. 
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