12 Chrysanthemum Culture for America 



the notion that a blue chrysanthemum exists in Japan. It is 

 supposed to be in the possession of the Japanese Buddhist 

 priests, who guard it with jealous care from the eyes of 

 western travelers, and refuse to allow it to leave their hands. 

 M. Em. Rodigrez, the well-known Belgian horticulturist, writ- 

 ing upon this subject, says : "Some day, perhaps, we shall 

 get a sight of this famous blue chrysanthemum, which we are 

 assured exists somewhere in the Celestial Empire, but which 

 has been sought for in vain. It may grow in the valley of 

 the King-Chang-Oola, inaccessable to Europeans and Ameri- 

 cans, as is also the blue camellia, and the blue lily." 



Beside the potter, metal worker, weaver and ivory car- 

 ver, the painter also has lavished his skill on this charming 

 flower. In common with the cherry blossom and convolvulus, 

 the chryanthemum enjoys the distinction of having illustrated 

 books concerning it, specialty designed by talented artists, and 

 many a renowned artist has not disdained it as the subject of 

 his masterpiece. 



The name of the ninth month in Japan, in which the kiku is 

 in bloom, is Kiku-dzuki, and on the ninth day of Kiku-dzuki 

 the principal festivals of the country are held, when mirth 

 and feasting are the order of the day. The commonest girl's 

 name in Japan is O-kiku San, which means Honorable Miss 

 Chrysanthemum. 



It is nearly two hundred years since this plant first became 

 known in Europe. It was at various times mentioned by 

 many of the early botanists under different names, but they 

 disagreed as to the genus with which it should be classed. 

 Bregnius in 1689 most accurately describes the Chinese 

 varieties, and was first to mention the species, calling it 

 Matricaria Japonica maxima, giving it also the Japanese name 

 "kychonophane." He makes allusion to six distinct varie- 

 ties, white, blush, rose, yellow, purple and crimson, which he 

 s ays were growing in Holland at that time. These plants 



