224 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



remark, as emphasizing the beauty of that particular climate, which 

 was pleasant enough; he said that if any one had the power to say to him 

 that he might have one year in California or ten years back in old Michi- 

 gan, he would take the one year in California. I wanted to tell him, 

 that I considered him extremely ungrateful. I hope, my friends, this will 

 be a question freely discussed until something tangible shall grow out of 

 it, to retimber the state of Michigan, especially in certain localities 

 where nothing else is likely to grow for some years. Last winter, at our 

 farmers' institute, Gov. Hoard was with us. He said, ''We have had in 

 Wisconsin some ten to twelve thousand dollars to carry on our insti- 

 tutes." I asked how that happened. "Well," he said, "about six 

 or eight years ago, six men in Wisconsin put their heads together, and 

 they said, 'we will pull together until we get these institutes.' " It shows 

 what a small body of eaunest men can do in such matters. The more, 

 of course, the better; but if we are in earnest and pull together, we can 

 accomplish ever so much. 



CULTIVATION OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



BY MR. ELMER SMITH OP ADRIAN. 



The chrysanthemum derives its name from the two Greek words 

 chrysos, gold, and anthos, a flower; hence the literal meaning, gold flower. 



Thinking it might be interesting to many present, I have taken the lib- 

 erty to depart somewhat from the subject by giving a few historical 

 notes. 



From almost prehistoric times the Chinese and Japanese have culti- 

 vated this famous flower. The chrysanthemum, or kiku, as it is called 

 in Japan, is one of the crest badges of the imperial family, and is used as 

 an official seal. The hilts of the swords forged by Emperor Go Toba, in 

 1186, had the kiku figured upon them. All Japanese manifest the great- 

 est enthusiasm in their culture, looking forward with pleasure to the 

 coming of these flowers, and the Chinese are no less ardent in their de- 

 voted admiration. It is more than two hundred years since the first 

 plants were introduced into England. In 1754 it was first cultivated by 

 that celebrated gardener, Miller, at Chelsea, but by accident was lost, 

 being again introduced at London in 1795. As it is known today it a])- 

 pears modern to many, but the foregoing assures us it has not been re- 

 cently introduced. It is simply the improvement in cultivation and 

 varieties that has given them such popularity the past few years. 



They were introduced into this country in 1826, and in 1830 such va- 

 rieties as Quilled Flame, Curled Lilac, Tasselled White, and Changeable 

 Buff were exhibited at Boston before the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 society. 



I will first give the method generally employed by the florist, and fol- 

 low with a few hints to the amateur. The old plants that have nearly 

 passed their usefulness for this season are sending up new growth at the 

 root. These are taken off in the form of cuttings, inserted in sand which 

 has a gentle bottom heat, and if kept well watered will in ten or twelve 



