Plant Arils For Least Work 
Exotic ARTL i if 
It’s Time To Become Acquainted With T 
World’s Most Comprehensive erings in ARIL IRIS 
Famed Orchid-Iris of Palestine 
For MARCH-APRIL-MAY Bloom 
AUTHENTICITY: In view of recent incorrect use of the term ‘‘Onco,’’ | must emphasize that these are the 
GENUINE PURE ONCO SPECIES—not hybrids with other Iris 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. Most 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 senational of all ARILS, and all Iris, for garden features, indoor decoration, flower shows and hybridiz- 
ing. 
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 fasci- 
nating species of Oncocyclus Iris that occur in various parts of PALESTINE and surrounding countries. Recent 
Bulletins of the American Iris Society (particularly Jan. ’51) point strongly to the rapidly spreading interest 
in hybridizing Oncos and their derivatives. Even today, most hybridizers do not have available any appreciable 
number of true Onco species, and have 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, | have devoted much time and effort, and no little 
expense, to DIRECT AIR IMPORTATION of all possible true Onco species. My collection has reached over 
30 species. 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 on page 5, but are most 
rewarding of all when properly grown. No other Iris have the appeal of true Oncos. 
On GATESII and SARI from Turkey 
It is with great satisfaction that | am able to report that my large and costly 1953 and 1954 
importations of these two wonderful Oncos, GATESII and SARI from remote portions of 
Turkey, are doing so well | am again able to drastically reduce my prices on these rarities. 
These true Oncos from northern mountains are so well adapted to American conditions | am 
securing exceptional increase. In accordance with my custom, | immediately pass this favorable 
development on to my thousands of esteemed customers in the form of much lower prices. 
My confidence in the intrinsic value of these rare species, and in American Iris lovers’ and 
hybridizers’ desire to satisfy a long-felt want, has caused me to invest well in excess of a 
thousand dollars in these major importations. | am greatly pleased that | can now, for the first 
time, make these species available at prices within the reach of every Iris enthusiast. | hardly 
need point out that at these prices everyone will want them, and my stocks may soon become 
exhausted. So if you want either or both, order TODAY. Both for.................... $6.95 
GATESII (Onco)—Coveted by every hybridizer—$4.95 
— GATESII - 
MY GREAT FEATURE OFFERING FOR 1955 SEE EKTACHROME 
This Year Reduced to : 3 for $11.95 While They Last 
| am able at last, after years of effort, to offer this renowned rarity that is today the most 
sought of all Oncos. It has been wholly unavailable in this country for the past 25 years, 
since the time when the famous Onco-bred ‘‘William Mohr’ was produced. | had expected to 
have to charge $35.00 for Gatesii when | first imported it, but unexpectedly favorable condi- 
tions make it possible for me to offer it this year way below even the $7.95 price at which 
| offered it last year. 
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 purplish bronze, very broad and diffuse, the 
largest found in any Iris, sometimes 142” wide and 3” long, occasionally extending half 
way down the immense falls. | find that the form, color, beard, etc., are quite variable, as is 
customary with wild species. Many interesting types are expected in this new stock which 
is largely freshly imported, and hence as yet unbloomed in this country. 
Native in the mountains of Turkey, much farther north than most Oncos, so is hardier, 
easier to grow. While the usual height is somewhat less, some of the plants of my strain of 
Gatesii have grown to a height of 33”, which is most remarkable for any Onco. 
Probably the latest bloomer of all Oncos, coinciding with the early and midseason Tall 
Bearded, a condition that makes it ideal for both ambitious hybridizers and exhibitors. At 
any show it will be the center of attraction for all present, as not one flower lover in a million 
has ever seen Gatesii. 
From the hybridizer’s viewpoint Gatesii is wholly unsurpassed. My natural-color Ektachrome 
shows clearly the extremely broad standards and falls, often over 4” wide. The hafts in 
front of the style crests are usually a full 3” wide, sometimes more. There has never been 
a Tall Bearded Iris that can even approach this as most of the latest introductions do well 
to reach 2” in width of haft. It is the dream of every hybridist to transfer this superb form 
to a tall vigorous new Oncobred with beautiful Onco veinings and large bold signal patch. 
Why not be the first to accomplish this? We all start together, now that Gatesii Is available 
again. A great seed-setter; produces quantities of pollen. | suggest Air Mail for all orders for 
Gatesii, as you would not want your order to reach me after my stock is all sold. One rhizome 
of Parisiana FREE on request with every order for 3 of Gatesii; see ‘‘HYBRIDIZERS’ OPPOR- 
TUNITY” at right. E-20”. 
“My last year’s order included the ‘one and only’ Susiana, which ‘took’ the 
flower show here. Apparently this was the first one known here—the most beau- 
tiful Iris I have ever seen.” Mrs. W. W. Scarborough, Dallas, Texas. 
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. William 
Mohr is nearly sterile, and if some enterprising hybridizer succeeds in creating an Oncobred 
like William Mohr but highly fertile, it will expedite future Oncobred breeding tremendously. 
| want hybridizers everywhere to have Parisiana to use with Gatesii but my stock of Parisiana 
is not sufficient to permit me to give one with each Gatesii. So this year | offer FREE on re- 
quest with every order for three Gatesii, a complimentary rhizome of the original PARISIANA. 
With a single rhizome of GATESII | offer PARISIANA at $2.00 each. Now hybridizers through- 
out 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. Obvi- 
ously, the time to order is NOW. 
GATESII 
This is the king! a giant of renown 
With broad, bronze beard, and with a turbaned head 
Where ruffled standards rig a royal crown; 
Their silver depths and violet dots are wed. 
The violet netted falls are olive cream... 
In all, Gatesii is a teasing dream. 
Hail, gay Gatesii! from this lineage came 
The mighty Mohrs, the charming Lady Mohr— 
A signal beauty setting hearts a-flame! 
And, from this great king, much is yet in store. 
When these Gatesii hybrids are unfurled 
It is the monarch of a magic world. 
—George Nicholas Rees 
_ “T took Susiana to the first Iris show in this city. News must have 5 
like wildfire, as several hundred extra people came the second day after he. 
goo Susiana from those who came the first day.” Archer B. Carpenter 
Idaho. TF a a 
4 “Flowers belong to fairyland; the flowers, the birds and the butterflies are all that the world has kept of its golden age— 
the only perfectly beautiful things on earth.’—OUIDA 
