Recent Chrysanthemums. 263 



attacked while Challenge grown in the same house remained un- 

 harmed. It has been said that mites are the cause of the malady, 

 and again it is attributed to a fungus, while others look for a bac- 

 terial origin. It is more probably due to external mechanical injury 

 caused by some insect much larger than the mites, or in disbud- 

 ding. In any case it would be well to take the precaution of allow- 

 ing the buds to attain to good dimensions previous to disbudding. 



SUMMARY. 



Popular interest in chrysanthemums in America dates from the 

 distribution and extensive advertising of the variety Mrs. Alpheus 

 Hardy in 1888-89. 



Yarieties for commercial purposes should have dwarf stems (from 

 three to four feet high), strong and erect, furnished with luxuriant 

 foliage to the base of the flowers, which should be large (from four 

 to eight inches in diameter), double, and of a distinct shade of color. 



For the purpose of American growers, the American varieties are 

 in general far superior to those of foreign origin. 



New varieties should be submitted to the Crysanthemum Society 

 of America, or its representatives, before being placed on the 

 market. Growers should support the society in its efforts to pre- 

 vent the increase of synomyms. 



Among the new varieties of last year the best for commercial 

 purposes at our place were Eugene Dailledouze and Major Bon- 

 naffon, yellow ; Mayflower and Marie Louise, white ; Mrs. E. Gr. 

 Hill and Laredo, pink ; and Charles Davis and Ingomar, bronze. 



The best flowers are obtained by bench culture, although good 

 marketable blooms are more cheaply raised on solid beds. 



Some study should be given to the insects which infest the plants, 

 so that the helpful ones may be readily distinguished from those of 

 injurious character. The leading injurious ones are black aphis, 

 green fly, mites and thrips. 



The plants are kept free from insect pests by using either pryeth- 

 rum powder, kerosene emulsion or tobacco, the last to be applied in 

 the powder form or in frequent light fumigation. 



As the premature decay of the flower buds is probably due to 

 external iajury, greater care should be exercised in disbudding, 

 allowing the buds to attain to a good size before commencing the 

 operation. 



MICHAEL BARKER. 



