36 Anjials of Horticulture. 



The Chrysantheimwi appears to have received greater atten- 

 tion during the year than any other plant, both with profes- 

 sional florists and amateurs. No plant combines so many 

 attractive qualities, as extreme variations in form, color and 

 habit, and ease of cultivation and adaptability to exhibition 

 purposes. Numbers of chrysanthemum exhibitions were held 

 during the fall of 1890, and without exception, apparently, 

 they were successful, and tended to still further popularize 

 the flower. The following notes upon the chrysanthemum 

 for 1890, have been made for me by B. M. Watson, Jr., of 

 Harvard University : 



"The chrysanthemum season just passed has been an in- 

 teresting one. Never before have we had such an abundance 

 of good bloom ; the trade in cut-flowers has been satisfac- 

 tory, and the attendance at the various shows has been 

 greater than ever. While a large number of seedlings have 

 been brought forward, and while they show good variety in 

 form and color, we have no such additions to record as have 

 marked the two preceding years ; for instance, nothing has 

 been shown which approaches the Neesima collection. It is 

 noticeable that in many cases the still older sorts have held 

 their own against the newer introductions. The production 

 of seedlings is likely to continue, however, for some time. 

 This is undoubtedly a most interesting feature of the cultiva- 

 tion to most growers, and we shall probably get improve- 

 ments in different directions ; but new sorts will be more 

 critically examined by the gardener, and only those showing 

 some decided advance are likely to attract much attention. 

 It seems as if we had at present almost a sufficient variety in 

 form and color, and that the desideratum now is in the line 

 of good, marketable kinds. The gardener's interest in the 

 shows has centered more in cultural improvements than in 

 new varieties. 



' ' The demand for flowers up to this year has been largely for 

 yellows and whites, and these have been grown to the exclu- 

 sion of most others, by many of the larger growers. This 

 year, with the introduction in greater quantities of finely 

 grown flowers, there has been a call for more variety, and 

 willingness has been shown to pay roundly for them. The 

 trade in large flowers has been unsurpassed, and it looks 

 rather as if these alone were to be the chrysanthemums of 



