67 
cultivation of this plant, and it is with pride we point to 
the many excellent ones raised by them within the past 
few years. The climate of the Southern States is in every 
way adapted to their proper development, and the ladies 
of the South who by their diligent care have for so long 
made their gardens bright with the Hyacinth and Rose, 
and sweet with the Magnoliaand Jassamine, should now 
take up the culture of the ‘‘Autumn Queen.” It is into 
their hands we would fain trust our favorite. They can 
find but few other garden flowers more valuable, and 
still fewer that may be fairly called everybody’s plant. 
It is well fitted for the cottage garden, fora sunny corner 
behind the porch, as well as for the marble-floored con- 
servatory. Every cottager and artisan may grow it to 
perfection with but little expense, and it will prove a 
more agreeable companion in Fall, than the Narcissus, 
the Crocus or Hyacinth of Spring, 
That comes before the swallows dares 
And takes the winds of March with beauty. 
Spring flowers come like a joyous prelude of a concert, 
but the Chrysanthemum like the closing strains of a 
parting song. We would like to see the ladies of the 
South excel in the culture of this plant, as the climatic 
advantages are much more favorable to it here. To say 
that this “‘ flower of Autumn” has a great future before 
it is but to repeat one of the most palpable truisms of our 
time. It is only last year that a National Chrysanthe- 
mum Society was formed in this country, with Mr. John 
Thorpe, an enthusiast in its culture, as President. So 
great is the interest at present, that some such a tribunal 
as this had to be established to give the seal of endorse- 
ment to all that is worthy among the numerous aspirants 
that spring from the rank and file of the great army of 
