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Au Appreciation 
CLARENCE WHITE and his ONCOCYCLUS HYBRIDS 
In 1573 the Mourning Iris, |. susiana, was brought from the 
gardens of Constantinople to Holland. Never was such a beauti- 
ful and exotic flower seen. Since then, collectors have constantly 
combed the desert lands of the near east for the many species 
of oncocyclus iris found there. Millions of plants and seeds 
have been exported to gardens all over the world. Every at- 
tempt was made to grow the wild forms, but few gardeners 
have even been able to flower them. Although the hybridizing 
of “‘oncos” started along with the first efforts to breed iris, 
only moderate success was achieved by the Dutch and other 
Europeans. Vast sums of money have been spent in the effort 
to establish some strong garden plants with Onco character. 
Easily the most outstanding figure of all time in this de- 
velopment is Clarence White. As a young man his time was 
given to manufacturing, and he worked in the development of 
modern farm machinery. He also farmed on a large scale in 
Florida and Hawaii. Very early he sold these interests and re- 
tired to Redlands where he and his family worked hard with 
painting, crafts and the hybridizing of plants. His artist’s eye 
was captured by the exotic beauty of the oncos and the diffi- 
culty of the project was a challenge to his creative imagination. 
Backed with determination and sufficient means, he gave us 
first the finest of the smaller garden plants of onco character 
—Nelson of Hilly, Susan of Hilly, Mozo, Cogette, Oyez, Near 
East, Sardis, Tophilly, Some Love, etc. These oncobreds are 
closer to the early Dutch introductions but with stronger blood 
lines and more varied and of finer quality. Next came tall hy- 
brids with regelia influence like Sheriffa and Gypsy King. 
Starting with Joppa Parrot and Jumna Mr. White’s efforts 
were finally rewarded with hybrids that would breed easily. 
Hence, the releases of the last two years are not only stronger 
garden plants, but a source of delight and amazement to 
hybridizers. We do not list oncocyclus species or older Dutch 
onco-regelia hybrids because we have found them too hard to 
grow. These new oncobreds of Mr. White’s are proving easy to 
grow. We refer you to page 2 of this catalog for this year’s 
introductions, put on sale early with small stocks so that 
breeders can use them now. 
SPURIA IRIS 
This class of beardless iris has many virtues. The plants are hardy 
everywhere; they need not be lifted frequently; the flowers keep well 
when cut. Resembling dutch iris in flower form, except that they are 
larger, spurias bloom along with your late bearded iris. Spurias are shipped 
in the fall. 
ALICE EASTWOOD—White and gold. 4 ft. tall................ $ 1.00 
AZURE DAWN (Nies)—Light blue; pale yellow signal.......... WS 
BIG CLOUD (Craig) —Nearest to white. Very large......... Cnet) ico © 
BLUE PINAFORE (Craig)—Full frilled hybrid in pale clear blue. 
Eallsspalesblueswith yellow atecemter ene tice) tame. 1 (net) 10.00 
BLUE VALENTINE (Craig) —Pale blue, with smooth finish and ruf- 
fledustancardssan cern |CcietallSommmpsemeeienenscieieicns eielenensier (net) 10.00 
DUTCH DEFIANCE (Nies)—Bold blue; yellow signal............ 3.00 
FIFTH SYMPHONY (Nies)—Bronze veins over deep yellow...... 1.00 
INVESTMENT (Craig)—Opulent gold ................5.. (net) 7.50 
LARK SONG (Nies) —Heavily frilled yellow................... 5.00 
EU MIERES(W.ashing tot) ie=Gne avipena-eree emer einen sacle sierra: 1.00 
MONTEAGEERGW asmingtOm)=—PUnp leis neiermmtneesieenenenete en ciey es eters 2.00 
RUSSET FLAME (Nies)——Deep yellow bordered brown........... 1.00 
SAUGATUCK (Nies)—Lavender, yellow, bronze G blue.......... US) 
SUN AND SHADOW (Craig—Lavender-grey and yellow......... 250 
SUNNY DAY (Sass)—Bright golden yellow................4.. sf) 
SUNNY SIDE (Craig) —Big white and yellow.............. (net) 10.00 
SWEET BUTTER (Craig) —Large, broad creamy yellow........... Ta5O 
TWO OPALS (Nies)——Blended lavender and cream............. 5.00 
WADI ZEM ZEM (Milliken) —Large. Deep cream............... 3.00 
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