76 THE FLORIST. 



SOUTH METROPOLITAN CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 



We have much pleasure in laying before our readers the following 

 account of the progress of this Society. At a meeting held on the 

 14th ult, Dr. Bushell in the chair, nearly fifty new members were 

 proposed and elected, increasing the strength of the Society to upwards 

 of 100 members. The Chairman, in opening the business of the 

 evening, mentioned the kindly feeling which existed in the immediate 

 neighbourhood, and, as an instance, informed the gentlemen present 

 that Mr. Tichener, of the Grosvenor Arms, Grosvenor Park, had insti- 

 tuted a respect board, on which should be placed the names of Annual 

 Subscribers. Mr. Tichener expressed himself very gratified that his 

 endeavours had met with the approbation of the Society, ahd hoped 

 that the South Metropolitan would stand second to none in the Flori- 

 cultural world ; but take its place in the foremost rank. 



The Chairman then stated that the meeting had been specially con- 

 vened to hear a short discourse or lecture from Mr. Broome, of the 

 Temple Gardens, as to his mode of cultivating this very favourite 

 London flower. Mr. Broome was then introduced by Mr. Hayhow. 

 He commenced by stating that he had not come to lay before his audi- 

 ence a long dry wordy statement ; but to show, in a practical point of 

 view, how the plant may be brought to that perfection which has been 

 so admirably exemplified at our late London exhibitions, and directed 

 his advice more especially to young beginners than those who were 

 better skilled in their culture, and that he never felt happier than when 

 he was giving nis experience to those whom he thought would benefit 

 by it, and which he had only been able to gain by great perseverance 

 and travel. We must mention, by-the-by, that this lecture was illus- 

 trated, and that Mr. Broome here took up an old root of the sort 

 Queen of England and dissected it, showing how varieties are propa- 

 gated by means of suckers, taking off the best and those of good 

 constitution for his use. He showed how necessary was good drainage 

 to the habit of the plant, and illustrated the best soils, having brought 

 with him specimens ; also cautioned all against the two frequent fault 

 of giving them too much water when young, thus causing what is 

 technically called "damp," and impressed upon all the necessity that 

 when the pots were getting too full of roots a change should take place. 

 The next subject he wished to draw attention to was the " disbudding," 

 which consisted of taking the centre eye out, and causing the plant to 

 throw out laterals and branches to an almost incredible extent, after 

 which it should be supplied with a little liquid manure, and allowed 

 plenty of water, keeping it cool during the hot summer months, which 

 prevented the soil caking round the pot, and the plant assuming a 

 rugged and distasteful appearance. "Stopping" or "disbudding" 

 must not be practised after August. Mr. Broome concluded his enter- 

 taining skefsh by requesting all who were desirous of gaining any 

 information on the subject before them to come to him, and he would 

 feel very great pleasure in giving it ; adding that as the time was now 

 approaching for planting, all making purchases would find a list of 



