126 STATE POMOLOGICAI^ SOCIETY. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS— THEIR CULTURE AND 

 VARIETIES. 



By Abel F. Stevens, Woodside Gardens, Wellesley, Mass. 



I wish to say that at the many exhibitions at which it has been 

 my privilege to act as a judge I have never laid the awards on 

 a finer exhibit or better grown fruit than I have in this hall. 



Before I say a word about these gems of my heart and love, 

 I have a few things to say before I begin, as the Irishman said. 

 From early youth to this day I have always had a love for 

 beauty in nature, and I am so glad that all our institutions 

 throughout our land, our public schools which are the hope of 

 our Nation, are doing so much in nature study. I shall ask 

 your attention for a few moments to a practical paper. I will 

 not read you an essay or give you an oration, but try to impart 

 from my practical experience as a florist and as a grower of 

 fruit some things that if these amuse you and please you that 

 you can go and do likewise and grow them. 



Among all the gems of the floral kingdom which lengthens 

 out the year and adds sunshine to our hearts, and which stands 

 without a peer among flowering plants as an effective decora- 

 tive flower, we willingly ascribe to the chrysanthemum the well 

 earned title of the "Queen of the Autumn," covering a period 

 of fully one-fourth of the year with its magnificent blooms, and 

 for ornamental and home decorations it has not a rival. The 

 rapidity with which it has come into favor, the multiplication 

 and improvement in varieties and the modern system of cultiva- 

 tion are without a precedent in the florist's experience. In fact, 

 the business of selling and the quantity planted by amateurs 

 and professional florists for cut flowers and selling plants has, 

 in the last five years, increased as i,ooo is to i, until now the 

 chrysanthemum is considered as indispensable as roses or 

 geraniums. 



It was introduced into Europe from China in 1790 and it was 

 not till 1795 that the first plant bloomed in Colville's Gardens, 

 King's Road, Chelsea, England. While in our country it was 

 about 1870 before their culture began in earnest and in 1885 

 the first exhibition of this grand flower alone was held in the 



