OS ed ne 
~ « 
The third lady is the Florentine wife of on American, Mr. George Specht, who recently favored us with 
a brief but most satisfactory visit. Mrs. Specht (Contessa Flaminia Goretti) heads a project.called ‘The Premio 
Firenze’ which you will find discussed at length in another section of this Catalog. 
With Madonna Flaminia and her husband George we have developed a warm friendship. In my first 
letter to her I had asked for the source of several pictures which I wished to use in a book which I am writ- 
ing. Her immediate response and help have been invaluable. 
And now in this necessarily short article I must turn to other things. We are in the process of assembling 
- as complete a collection of Aril-bred Iris as is possible. 
Many hybrids were developed by Foster and others in the very early days and we have decided to en- 
gage in the labor of love., that many collector's items may be preserved. If you have any of the old and 
obscure items we would be pleased to know of them, for many have eluded our search. 
Among other things we are testing a chemical compound which has shown much promise in the cure 
of Mosaic Virus. This disease attacks many Iris—practically all Lilies, tomatoes, tobacco, Dutch Bulbs and 
a host of other plants. It is still too early to be sure—but we have hope—and it proves itself, will of course 
be made available. 
This is our _second Catalog—we hope you will think it is decorative, for the plates represent a great deal 
of effort. We hope you. will find it instructive and in places—amusing. Next year we plan to include a full 
page color reproduction of a painting of one of the more spectacular Oncocyclus Iris—to be followed each 
year by an additional plate. Naturally this will depend upon the financial support of our customers. Nor 
will the publication of such a Catalog ever reflect a price higher than that currently in effect. 
Particularly we wish to express our satisfaction not only with ‘Mystic Legend’ which we were privileged 
to name and introduce, but to its originator and his wife for the friendly cooperation and friendship they have 
so freely given. 
At the feet of the Goddess of the Rainbow we lay our fond petition—that she may bless you with the 
most beautiful flowers you have ever seen and bestow upon your efforts, seedlings which surpass your 
rosiest dreams. 
H. VALMAR SLAMOVA 
WILLIAM D. HAWKINSON 
