Re: Heterosis and Breeding Problems

In a message dated 97-01-20 00:42:41 EST, Barbara Mann wrote:

<< This is exactly why we need to make sure we don't lose the wild species.
 All 
 of our purebreeding programs, no matter how well intentioned, are in the end

 (which may be a long way off) dead ends. >>

Barbara's point is very important!  The analogy to animal breeding programs
is also important.  In some ways, many of our modern TBs are like some of the
"purebred" dog breeds.  The poor St. Bernard being a prime example, as
"breeding" has created a number of physical problems and "mental" problems.
 I'll bet Barbara could provide a long list of examples.  

Barbara, I wish you would write an article for the AIS Bulletin on this,
giving some of these examples.  The problems with many modern tall bearded
irises are just as great as many of the dog breeds,  but tend to be
overlooked, even by judges, because of the beauty of the flower. Overlooking
these problems is surely a great disservice to the iris as a garden subject.
 Three cheers for Barbara from Clarence Mahan in Virginia, where it is
warming up.
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