2 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



is the one flower that the small amateur grower may culti- 

 vate without much difficulty. 



In most gardens Chrysanthemums contribute the 

 principal supply of cut flowers during winter. Other less 

 distinguished and often more troublesome flowers supple- 

 ment the harvest of Chrysanthemums, but these latter are 

 depended upon to brighten all winter decorations, and 

 right well they do it. 



For market purposes they are cultivated by hundreds 

 of thousands. If we knew the exact numbers and the 

 acreage they cover both indoors and out of doors, and 

 the number of hands engaged in their cultivation, we 

 should better realise the fact that the Chrysanthemum- 

 growing industry is unequalled by any individual flower 

 cultivated in this country. 



Since its introduction into Britain the flower has under- 

 gone many changes. In my earliest recollection very 

 many of the varieties grown were of the Incurved and 

 Reflexed types, and for decorative purposes they were 

 used very largely, but latterly the Japanese section has 

 made great strides both as regards size and form of flower 

 and the habit of the plant generally. My first serious 

 experience with Exhibition varieties was gained when 

 Mdme. Cle'mence Audiguier, Thunberg, Comte de Germiny, 

 Triomphe de la rue des Chalets, Belle Paule, Meg 

 Merrilies, Jeanne Delaux, Fair Maid of Guernsey, and 

 such varieties were amongst the most popular sorts, and 

 a great treat it was taking these tall-growing varieties (all 

 naturally grown) some 10 or n miles by road in open 

 wagons for the purpose of arranging a group. What a 

 contrast is presented when these are compared with the 

 best of the present-day Japanese varieties, for many of 



