AWARDS OF THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY 
The American Iris Society exists for the sole purpose of promoting the cul- 
ture and improvement of iris, and has about 5000 members including over 
500 qualified judges. The judges are invited to vote on the various awards 
each year, as follows: 
After an iris has been properly registered and introduced in com- 
merce it may be eligible for the 'Honorable Mention" (HM) award. 
Favorable votes from twelve judges are required. 
Two years after an iris has won the "HM" award it is eligible for 
the "Award of Merit" (AM), and remains eligible during a five year 
period. The judges vote their choices for this award each year and 
the eight tall bearded iris receiving the largest number of votes re- 
ceive the award. This very high award is for iris that have been 
tested for some time and is national rather than local in scope. 
Having won the "AM" an iris is eligible for the Dykes Medal, and 
remains eligible for three years. To win, an iris must receive the 
highest number of votes of the judges, and be recommended by at 
least twenty-five judges. 
The Dykes Medal may be awarded yearly by the Iris Society (Eng- 
land) to an American, an English, and a French introduction. In 
case of a tie vote no award is given that year. 
Since 1940 the American Iris Society has conducted a popularity poll 
each year to name the 100 favorite iris. The latest list, or sympo- 
sium, covers the year 1953. Starting with 1952, all members of the 
Society were invited to vote their preferences. 
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