DEAR FRIENDS OF THE IRIS, 
With this list a new commercial iris garden is born, and with it comes 
the desire to serve and to satisfy the many people who have urged and en- 
couraged me in the undertaking. 
Much has been said and written about these fabulous Louisiana iris, but 
few have been available to the gardeners of other sections. Many glowing 
descriptions have been given in the BULLETIN of the American Iris Society, 
but there have been too few outlets from which to buy the iris described there. 
This list is an attempt to alleviate that condition in part. I have bent every 
effort to secure for introduction the best of these iris that have not hereto- 
fore been introduced and to list the older iris that have proved their worth. 
Some have been admired for several seasons but have had no distribut ‘on; 
some are the latest things from the originator’s seedling beds. 
Too little is known about the hardiness of these varieties in the north, 
east, and midwest to make definite recommendations as to their limits. Those 
of Mr. Chowning’s marked hardy, are hardy in Little Rock, and because of 
their I. foliosa, and I. fulva parentage, both of whose native habitat ranges 
farther north than the others of the Louisiana group, they should prove hardy 
throughout the entire iris belt. The others marked hardy are done» 
so for the same reason. Some varieties that get nipped by late freezes here 
in the northern part of Louisiana may prove hardy where the winters are con- 
sistant. Quite frequently in late February and early March after spring 
growth is almost fully developed, a snap freeze will destroy the emerging 
bloomstalk on many of the early varieties. In the sections where the ground 
remains frozen until spring and where freezes do not occur after the buds 
on the trees have burst or the early flowering trees are in bloom, these early 
varieties may prove quite satisfactory. 
The cultural directions to be sent with each order are designed 
for Louisiana conditions, but the principles are applicable anywhere. It is 
believed, however, though not proven, that in northern sections better drain- 
age should be given where the ground freezes hard in wet soil conditions; 
and that where the sun is not as fierce as in the South and West, these iris 
could probably stand full sun with excellent results. I hope that those of you 
who will grow these iris will send me progress reports from time to time as 
to their adaptability to your conditions so that information might be made 
available to others. 
Next spring when the Annual Meeting of the American Iris Society is 
held in Shreveport, those of you who attend will spend an afternoon in the 
garden where we have attempted to grow these exotic iris in as nearly a nat- 
ural setting as these rolling clay hills can afford. You will see them used in 
a perennial garden picture as well, thus illustrating both bog and border 
culture. 
I would like to extend to all of you a hearty welcome to Louisiana, to 
ay Poe 
