IRIS (FACTS AD LIB). 
Did you know that, because of its beauty 
and adaptability, the iris has been grown 
and cherished since the dawn cf history? 
THAT, irises grown from seed are, like 
fingerprints, different (scientifically) 
frem any cther iris ever grown? THAT, 
irises vegetatively repreduced are, gen- 
eration after generaticn, exactly like 
the parent that preduced them? (Therefore 
they neither mix ner revert). THAT, each 
rhizeme will bleom one time and cne time 
enly? THAT, last year's increase beccme 
"mother" rhizemes this year, blecm next 
year and then slowly die? THAT, the iris 
is lengevcus because each rhizeme preduces 
a new generation, thus perpetuating it- 
self adinfinitum? THAT, there are no iris 
berers in Colorade? THAT, a fair increase 
per rhizeme is three, hence, if we have 
one bleem stalk this year we shculd have 
about three next year etc? THAT, a "ploid" 
is a group, or set, cf twelve chremascmes? 
THAT, chromosomes are micro-organisms, 
within the plant cells, that control the 
hereditary characteristics of that plant? 
THAT, "crossing" (hybridizing) changes 
the number, or arrangement (or both) of 
the chromesemes and therefore the hered- 
itary characteristics (color, plant hab- 
its etc) of the seedlings se preduced 
differ (much or little) from those of 
the parents? THAT, one may have fun 
"crossing" iris witheut benefit of chro- 
mosomic theories, in which case a chro- 
meseme may be considered as being, "A 
patter of sixty-four dollar words used, 
principally, to impress and befuddle the 
uninitiated". THAT, each rhizome forms 
and partially develops its increase and 
embryo flower stalk at the same time, 
during the summer and fall? (Therefore 
summer and fall grewth is essential, as 
no amount ef spring petting can preduce 
a bloom stalk that isn't already there). 
THAT, the iris is, pessibly, the only 
hardy plant in the world that flcewers 
in all of the "primary" colors ie, red, 
yellow and blue? THAT, all cther cclers 
are merely mixtures cf these primary 
colers, hence, the infinite and amazing 
tints, tones, shades and combinations 
that make the iris the "color—queen" 
of flowerdom. 
4 
