i88i.l AMONG THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 37 



AMONG THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



Few flowers have so rapidly "come to tlie front "as the Chrysanthemums, 

 and none more fully deserve their popularity. They are easily grown, and 

 the species (Sinense) comprises a wonderful variety of forms and colours, 

 which are at their best when flowers generally are very scarce — for this 

 reason alone deserving all that can be written in their favour. They are 

 especially suited for town and suburban culture, as witness the large collec- 

 tions formed in the very heart of London — viz., the Temple Gardens, and 

 the innumerable well-grown collections in the metropolitan area. The Chry- 

 santhemum Shows, which are fast on the increase, have done much to heighten 

 the love for Chrysanthemums, and also to demonstrate to what perfection 

 they may be grown. Anything like a full report of even a few of the best of 

 these would be out of place in the 'Gardener,' and in this communication 

 reference will be made to the primary exhibits rather than to exhibitors. 

 Concerning the collections in the Temple Gardens, which by the kindness of 

 the Benchers were open to the inspection of all comers, we must confess to a 

 feeling of disappointment. It may be said, "What could be expected from 

 plants grown in the city of London?" Not much, certainly, by those who 

 know what a miserable atmosphere there is to contend with ; but we were 

 led by glowing reports in contemporaries to expect greater things. As a 

 group they were certainly very effective ; but the blooms individually would 

 bear no comparison with those to be seen in numbers of smaller private col- 

 lections. In one instance, indeed, the whole collection was below mediocrity. 

 They were grown too weakly early in the season. Here, as in many other 

 instances, the plants are grown with a single stem, the head consisting of 

 three or four shoots, each carrying one large bloom. This admits of a great 

 number being grown ; and as they are grouped closely, a very effective floral 

 bank is formed. Of course those trained for exhibition are trained either as 

 standards, pyramids, or dwarfs ; but in either case, unless well done, they 

 present a very miserable appearance. This was strongly exemplified at the 

 London Aquarium Show, though it must be admitted that the specimens were 

 perched up on a ridiculously high platform, so that even those that were 

 well grown presented a rather undignified appearance. From what we hear, 

 the finest dwarf-trained specimens seen this season were exhibited at the 

 Birmingham Show, the exhibitors being Messrs Stacey, Crook, and Denning, 

 who received the awards in the order named. They were certainly smaller 

 than several of the giants staged at the Aquarium (some of which were 8 or 9 

 feet in diameter) and at other Shows, but were much more profusely flowered, 

 carrying in some instances fully 250 well -formed blooms. The varieties 

 suitable for training are rather limited in number, as the majority are too 

 stifi" in growth. Those that are adapted for this purpose are Mrs G. Rundle, 

 and the two sports from it, Mrs Dixon and G. Glenny (these are to be seen 

 in nearly every group). Lady Talfourd, Lady Slade, Prince Alfred, Fingal, 

 Bronze Jardin des Plants, White Venus, Lady Hardinge, Empress of India, 

 Prince of Wales, Eve, Golden Beverley, Dr Sharpe, Aureum multiflorum, Mr 

 Brunlees, Julie Lagravere, Hero of Stoke Newington, and Mrs Haliburton. 

 Every schedule includes classes for trained Pompones ; but, as a rule, they are 

 not very efiective. Those varieties usually shown are the White, Lilac, and 

 Golden Cedo Nulliis, Mdlle. Marthe, Bob, Fanny, Antonius, Salamon, Helena, 

 St Michael, Aurora Boreale, and Brilliant, Good Anemone-flowered Pompones 

 are Antonius, Calliope, Mr Astie, Sidonia astarte. Firefly, Dick Turpin, 



