86 THE FLORIST. 



Plants intended for large specimens should be stopped and potted 

 in March, and treated as already recommended for specimens in- 

 tended to flower the following spring. 



Propagation is easily effected. I generally select firm young shoots 

 Avith several branches, and plant them in 4-inch pots in sandy peat, 

 placing them in a close pit, carefully shading them till rooted, which 

 will be in about a month. As regards soil, this should be light but 

 rich ; half turfy sandy loam and half fibry peat, with a liberal allow- 

 ance of sharp silver-sand and small potsherds, broken bones, or char- 

 coal, will be found a suitable compost. Strong tenacious loam had 

 better be avoided, or at least used very sparingly. The peat and 

 loam should be broken up into pieces about the size of a nut, and 

 intimately mixed with the sand, &c. previous to use. Secure perfect 

 drainage by placing plenty of potsherds, properly arranged, in the 

 bottom of the pots, covering with some rough fibry pieces of peat, so 

 as to prevent the soil being washed down among them. 



Beckenham, Kent. J. B. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



In giving a list of large-flowered varieties of Chrysanthemums, it 

 should be borne in mind that a great difference of opinion exists as 

 to which kinds really are the best ; or, in other words, what consti- 

 tutes a perfect Chrysanthemum. 



It is to be regretted that we have no recognised standard for this 

 flower. Scarcely two opinions agree on this point. Some are advo- 

 cates for cupped varieties, of which, perhaps, Vesta may be considered 

 the type; others like incurved sorts, than some of which none are 

 more beautiful, — as, for example, Plutus, Themis, Goliath, &c. ; and 

 'Others, again, are advocates for rejlexed flowers, of which class per- 

 laaps Annie Salter may be considered the best. Now, we admit that 

 these are all beautiful in their way. The question then arises, which 

 ■Style of flower shall give place to the other ; and here we are met by 

 a difficulty such as we do not experience in regard to any other Florist 

 flower — certainly not to the same extent; for in most cases we seem, 

 •almost by common consent, to recognise the form which appears the 

 most beautiful and pleasing ; but here we have, in what are termed 

 .show-flowers, three very distinct forms. Take Vesta, Annie Salter, 

 ;and Plutus, and who will determine which of these is the most beau- 

 tiful ? Can any one assist us in this matter ? It does appear desir- 

 ;a;ble that a standard for this flower should exist. Until then, the 

 exhibition of Chrysanthemums to a certain extent is a game of hazard. 

 In the following list I have endeavoured to furnish you with the 

 names of the best Tarieties, without reference to their being either 

 •cupped, incui'ved, or reflexed flowers, having grown the whole, with 

 the exception of two varieties ; and those I have seen well done, and 

 tcan confidently recommend them. 



1 have marked with a star seventeen which I consider the most 



