

PREFACE ix 



of exhibition. So has it been with the Rose, to the great 

 advantage of the lovers of that flower, which to-day stands 

 on the broad basis of popular esteem. And yet one must 

 not minimise, or depreciate, the great service which the 

 Exhibitors have in each section, Rose and Chrysanthemum, 

 rendered for their favourite flower, for it has been the 

 Exhibitor who, by his energy and special knowledge, has 

 provided the stimulus and motive power which have led 

 to the higher development and still greater beauty of 

 those floral gems which now bewitch the eye. Were there 

 no Exhibitions it is greatly to be feared that there would 

 be comparative stagnation. 



Of late years there has been raised the cry of the decline 

 of the big Chrysanthemum. It may be so, but I doubt 

 that it is more than a passing phase of taste due somewhat 

 to method of exhibition, or some such cause ; but, while 

 to the majority of us the smaller blooms lend themselves 

 more readily to decoration, we cannot do without the glories 

 of the big blooms in their place. 



And for decorative purposes how great the increased 

 appreciation of the single varieties of the Chrysanthemum. 

 Vox populi vox Dei in this as in many things, and on this 

 question the popular voice speaks with no uncertain sound. 

 But whatever the possible relative decline, or advance, of 

 this or that section of our flower, this we know full well, 

 that there can be no decline in our love for that flower 

 of flowers, the Queen Chrysanthemum and that although 

 its uses may vary from time to time the Flower itself can 

 never know decline. 



CHARLES E. SHEA. 



THE ELMS, FOOT'S CRAY. 



