Plant Arils For Least Work 
aolic ARI I 
It’s Time To Become Acquainted th The. dy ARILS, Namely 
World’s Mos: ensive Offerings in ARIL IRIS 
THE ARILS: These alone, of all the Iris have seeds with prominent white arils or collars. No matter where you live, 
you can grow exotic Aril Iris, for they are being successfully grown by my customers in all parts of the United States. 
USES: Aril Iris are so exciting and different from any Iris you have ever seen that they can be used advantageously to 
focus the spotlight of attention on YOUR garden, YOUR indoor arrangements, or YOUR exhibit at your local flower 
show. Also, they are simply superb for hybridizing, whether you are an amateur making your first crosses, or an ex- 
perienced breeder eager to bring in exotic new blood lines. Specific uses for each of the three types of ARILS will be 
found under their respective headings. 
BLOOMING TIMES: The earliest ARILS start blooming about a month before the Tall Bearded Iris. The many species 
and varieties give a succession of bloom up to and partly over-lapping the Tall Bearded season. 
CULTURE and HARDINESS (in brief): When preparing for planting, select a sunny well drained spot. Mix with the 
soil, well in advance of planting, some lime, bonemeal and a little complete fertilizer or finely pulverized manure. 
Provide ridges or raised beds to insure drainage. Plant about a foot apart, and cover rhizomes about 2 inches. In cold 
regions mulch bed with 2” or 3” of straw, or other light airy material (not leaves or manure). Remove mulch after danger 
of frost. In dry climates, rhizomes can be left in all summer. But where summer rains occur, or where garden beds are 
watered, it is best to dig rhizomes soon after naturally sparse foliage dies down. Dry thoroughly, remove tops, and 
store in a cool place in dry sand until October. Or, grow in a cold frame and use glass to keep off summer rains. Also 
adapted to pot culture if adequate drainage is provided and excessive watering is avoided. My MANUAL gives details 
of pot culture and many additional suggestions on out of door culture of ARILS—a new gardening adventure. 
SHIPPING and PLANTING TIMES: Aril rhizomes are best shipped in the late summer or fall, in a dry condition, like 
bulbs, which they somewhat resemble. But order what you want NOW, by Air Mail, before supplies are exhausted. 
When you receive your precious ARILS store them in a dry place until planting time in early OCTOBER. They may 
be left in the bag of vermiculite in which they arrive. Avoid early fall planting, as this encourages undesirable fall and 
winter leaf growth. 
Famed Orchid-Iris of Palestine 
AUTHENTICITY: In view of recent and frequent loose and incorrect use of the term ‘‘Onco’’, | feel that | must em- 
phasize that these offerings are the GENUINE PURE ONCO SPECIES DIRECT FROM THE HOLY LAND—not hybrids 
with other Iris and containing only a portion of Onco blood, such as are sometimes falsely offered as “‘Oncos’’ to the 
unsuspecting. So if you want real Oncos, make SURE that is what you get. So far, practically all are wild species; not 
named hybrids. Most of the following are EXCLUSIVE OFFERINGS not elsewhere available on this continent. 
USES: Since a number of the Oncos have gigantic globular flowers of striking form and coloring, they are the most 
sensational of all ARILS, and all Iris, for garden features, indoor decoration, flower shows and hybridizing. 
BLOOMING TIMES: Start a month before Tall Bearded; end early in Tall Bearded season. 
NATIVE HABITAT, IMPORTATION and HYBRIDIZING: In the three centuries since the landing of the Pilgrims, the 
Western World has never had an opportunity to become acquainted with the wealth of diverse and fascinating species 
of Oncocyelus Iris that occur in various parts of PALESTINE and surrounding countries. Recent Bulletins of the Ameri- 
can Iris Society (particularly Jan. '51) point strongly to the rapidly spreading interest in hybridizing Oncos and their 
derivatives. These bulletins also make boldly evident that, even today, most hybridizers still do not have available any 
appreciable number of true Onco species, and have had to work largely through William Mohr and other Oncobreds in 
their attempts to secure the Onco characteristics so much desired. Thus they leave to us, the adventurous of the clan, 
the real thrills of making various FRESH starts by crossing many different Onco species DIRECTLY with the finest of 
today’s Tall Bearded Iris—varieties so superb that they were hardly even dreamed of way back in 1925 when William 
Mohr was created. Consequently, during the last few years, | have devoted much time and effort, and no little expense, 
to the DIRECT AIR IMPORTATION of all possible true Onco species. My collection has reached over 30 species and 
natural varieties. See my Manual (pages 35 and 36) for many suggestions on hybridizing with Oncos. 
CULTURE: Oncos are the most exacting of ARILS in requiring the treatment outlined above, but are most rewarding 
of all when properly grown. 
RHIZOMES: Onco rhizomes are dry and bulb-like. They are not large—neither are diamonds! But the flowers of some 
Oncos are huge. 
SARI (Lupina) Wolf’s Ear Iris « $10.00 
of this Onco of most unusual coloring. I do not know of any other 
Onco that even faintly resembles this in color. Greenish yellow covered with irregular 
broken brownish maroon veins. Inward the fall is covered with a broad yellow beard; in 
front of this is a green band with very faint veins. Offers exciting possibilities for hybrid- 
izers, particularly as it also comes from a more northern latitude, in Turkey, and should 
be quite hardy and manageable. | do not expect my limited supply to last long. E-15”. 
ARTOPURPUREA (Crimson-Black Iris) + $6.95 
One of the reddest Oncos | list. Standards uniform blackish crimson; falls crimson black, 
with large velvety jet-black signal. A smooth, deep coloring, not noticeably veined or 
dotted. Beard yellow, as is the area under it. One of the parents of Isolda and of other 
interesting hybrids. Try crossing it with Regelias or Bearded Iris. A bold distinctive Iris, 
sure to command attention. Blooms in March in the wilds near Gaza, where Samson is 
credited with destroying the temple and burying the multitude. EE-12”. 
NIGRICANS (Black Iris) ke $5.95; 3 for $16.50 
Of all Oncos | have bloomed, this has attracted the most attention. Everyone tells his 
neighbor; it is not long before they appear, saying: ‘“‘We heard you have a black Iris; may 
we see it?” As yet no Tall Bearded Iris can compete with the Black Iris for sheer blackness; 
but after seeing this, one can visualize a tall, graceful “Lady Mohr” in stunning ebony- 
black. Will you be the one to produce it? Pollen is plentiful. | have gotten as many as 
46 seeds to a pod. Standards violet-black, brightening to a glossy red-purple at center; 
LORTETII—Loveliest Onco—$25.00 
LORTETII (Lebanon Iris) ++ $25.00 
This fabulous Iris is described by Dykes as the most beautiful of all iris. 
Effect is of a magnificent orchid-pink globe, sometimes 7 or 8 inches in diame- 
ter. Standards white with flush of lilac-pink and very fine lavender veins. Falls 
cream, covered with minute crimson dots, sparsely scattered near edge, and 
becoming concentrated in a dark crimson signal patch. Emphatically, an Iris for the con- 
noisseur and hybridizer. | have found it to have abundant pollen and to be a wonderful 
seed-setter. With this now available, many long-dreamed-of crosses become possible. 
Native to Mount Lebanon. Blooms late for an Onco, thus coinciding with bloom of early 
Tall Bearded Iris, facilitating crosses with them. E-12”. 
GATESII- took $12.50; 3 for $29.95 
It is with great satisfaction that | am last able, after years of effort, to offer this renowned 
rarity that is today the most sought of all Oncos. | had expected to have to charge $35.00 
for Gatesii when | first imported it, but a fairly large importation directly from its native 
habitat in Turkey enables me to make this initial offering at a price that is relatively low 
for a rare true Onco. Dykes states that with the possible exception of some Japanese 
Hybrids, Gatesii produces larger flowers than those of any other Iris. | find it considerably 
larger than the giant Susiana. A symphony of color, with silvery standards lined and dotted 
soft violet; falls olive cream finely netted and dotted in violet. Beard very broad, bronze, 
embracing a small purple signal. Native much farther north than most Oncos, so is hardier 
and easier to grow. If you are one of the hundreds who have been waiting years and years 
for Gatesii, | advise you to get it this year. You'll be glad you did! | may have it to offer 
next year—and then again, | may not. While the usual height is somewhat less, some 
of the plants of my strain of Gatesii haye grown to a height of 33”, which is most remark- 
able for any Onco. Produces profuse quantities of pollen. E-20”. 
As every hybridizer knows, the whole far-flung 
Mohr family of fascinating hybrids springs from the world-famous William Mohr. This came 
from the diploid Tall Bearded variety PARISIANA x the Onco GATESII. While in time 
it may be found that many diploid and tetraploid bearded Iris will cross with Gatesii, such 
crosses are likely to be difficult, and the quickest approach is to start with the cross that 
has been found to succeed, and that resulted in William Mohr. This one hybrid does not 
begin to tap the untold possibilities from this most promising of all crosses of Bearded 
Iris and Oncos. Hence 1 offer FREE on request, with every rhizome of GATESII, a compli- 
mentary rhizome of the original PARISIANA, so that hybridizers throughout the world 
who have been wishing for years for the opportunity to repeat this most famous of all 
Iris crosses can at last realize this ambition. Parisiana is not offered by itself this year, in 
order that | may conserve my limited stock for this special combination offer. Obviously, 
the time to order is NOW. 
“T bought Arils of you in 1951. Andromache’s 4th stalk is in bloom now. Korolkowi 
Brown and Green has 9 flower stalks. I am greatly pleased with their berformance.”’ Grace 
E. Castner, Napa, California. 
falls dark violet-black, with a conspicuous large black signal patch, the blackest | have 
ever seen in any flower. Beard bronzy-black. Blooms in April in its native home in the 
Moab district of Trans-Jordan, east of the Dead Sea. E-12”. 
HAYNE! (Hayne’s Iris) x $4.95; 3 for $13.95 
An enormous, richly colored beauty from Mt. Gilboa, north of Jerusalem. Standards arched 
and gently waved, bright light mulberry. Falls bronzy crimson-black, with prominent in- 
tense mahogany-black signal. Pollen exceptionally abundant. A heavy seed-setter. Sets 
readily when crossed with various Oncos; occasionally when crossed with Regelias or 
Bearded Iris. Now’s your chance! E-15”. 
“I have received The Manual and Supplement, so full of information. I have learned 
many things. I've read and studied them through and through.’”’ Mrs. N. J. Smiley, Stafford, 
Kansas. 
"I find your Manual and Supplement No. 1 of the greatest value in Iris study. Have 
used them in shows, and helping folks place their Iris in the correct grouping.” Mrs. F. W. 
Hardgrove, Wewoko, Oklahoma. 
4 “When it is dark the sun no longer shines, but who can forget the colors of the rainbow?’’—CHINESE PROVERB. 
