CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 339 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
By Mr. H. Weexs, F.R.H.S. 
My first attempt at cross-breeding the Chrysanthemum was made some 
eleven or twelve years ago upon plants grown upon what is generally 
known as the “big bloom’ system. For several years I was unsuccessful, 
until 1892. Failing to grow that beautiful variety ‘ Mrs. Alpheus Hardy ’ 
in the orthodox way, owing to its weak habit, I decided to try striking the 
cuttings in summer, and growing the plants in small pots. From these 
plants I obtained some fine blooms, and I was so much struck with the 
beauty of this variety that I made up my mind to again make an attempt 
to obtain seeds, although I had almost given up the idea. However, from 
this effort I obtained four seeds. I have no doubt I should have obtained 
more, but for the fact that the blooms were too far advanced for fertilisa- 
tion when I commenced operations. My success, though small, suggested 
to my mind that my previous failures were due to selecting plants for the 
purpose which had been too highly cultivated, so the following year, from 
the middle to the end of July, cuttings were taken from plants which had 
been planted in a piece of poor ground early in the year, and inserted 
thickly round the side of small pots and placed in a cold frame. As soon 
as well rooted, they were potted singly into 3} in. pots, using poor but 
open soil, my object being to have the plants in a semi-starved condition 
by the time of flowering. The plants were returned to the frame until 
established, when they were removed outside until there was ne danger 
of frost. They were then placed in a dry, airy house having a day tem- 
perature of from 50° to 55° without sun heat. As soon as the florets 
were sufficiently expanded they were cut back with a pair of scissors until 
the stigma was exposed. When in a condition to receive it, the pollen 
was applied each day about 100n. From this batch I obtained about 200 
seeds ; but having neglected to observe in previous years that not all 
varieties produced pollen I had few pollen-bearing plants, and these the 
least desirable varieties. That year I observed that crimson and yellow 
produced pollen more freely than any other colour, white being the least 
productive. Seedlings, with very few exceptions, produce an abundance 
the first year; but after that no particular variety can be depended upon 
until it has been proved to be a pollen bearer. 
Whether soil or cultivation has any bearing upon the production of 
pollen I am not in a position to say, but I have noticed in other collec- 
tions varieties bearing pollen which have failed to do so with me, so that 
my experience may not be general. ‘Vivian Morel’ is a variety I might 
mention as an example. This I saw in a collection six years ago bearing 
pollen, but although I have grown it ever since I have up to the present 
failed to obtain any from it. In addition to this I find this type (that is, 
the true Japanese type) most difficult to hybridise, the incurved Japanese 
being much freer in both respects. 
J should also have made an exception of the true incuryed type in the 
matter of pollen bearing, as I cannot call to mind a variety which I have 
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