CHAPTER XXXIX 



THIRD WEEK IN OCTOBER 



WE have many advantages in the pursuit of horticulture 

 which our forefathers did not possess, and not the 

 least of these is the modern chrysanthemum, which 

 provides us throughout the autumn with such a feast of 

 gorgeous colour, filling the gap between summer and winter 

 with flowers for all, needing no artificial warmth, and (in the 

 case of the early-flowering varieties) giving but little trouble, 

 for these will grow and blossom in an ordinary border from 

 year to year, only requiring to be mulched with rich soil in 

 March, and divided or propagated from cuttings from time 

 to time. 



Early -flowering chrysanthemums are far more really decora- 

 tive than the larger blossoms of the later varieties, and these 

 flowers have now attained so perfect a shape and size that 

 there are few more delightful flowers, both for our rooms and 

 our gardens, at this time. Not many years ago the best white 

 variety was Madame Desgranges, a free-flowering plant, but 

 with blossoms of very imperfect shape, these being about- 

 half the size of those of Parisiana, which is now, perhaps, the 

 most beautiful of the early white chrysanthemums, for it is of 

 exquisite form, and the creamy tint of the central florets before 

 they expand to their full length enhances its beauty, whilst 

 the size of the blooms is just sufficient to be useful for 

 cutting, being 4 inches across. Market White is also good, 

 but not so perfect as Parisiana ; both are early in bloom, 

 flowering in September ; and White Quintus, which opens its 

 buds a little later than the two named above, is a most 

 floriferous and beautiful plant. 



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