1904.] ADDRESS. 43 



In p;issin<2; tVoiii \hv tree <>;i-()\vt]is, I wish to niciition one 

 vine, true (i-('('-l()V(>i\ the wisteria, so familiar to ns all. It 

 blooms in May, following the cherry, and with a luxuriance 

 we never behold in tliis country. Trained on trellises, a single 

 plant will covei- an innnense area; and wild in the groves 

 near tlu; tein})les of Nara its pendent bloom-clusters, over a 

 foot long, wdxo from the top of sixty-foot trees. In doul)l(> 

 white as wvW as ])ur)ile lolooms, its floral offering is both royal 

 and spotlessly pure. 



Following the wisteria blooms the iris, and then the peony, 

 both admired, as, in spite of difhculties, they are now becoming 

 well-known in our gardens. 



The flower of autunni is the chrysanthemum, ennobled in 

 the Imperial Crest, yet democratic as our own wayside dais}^ 

 in the lavishness of its manifold beauty. There is little occa- 

 sion for me to speak at length of the chrysanthemum in a 

 land which has so fully adopted it. Under the care of our 

 gardeners it has attainetl a development unsurpassed if equalled 

 in the land of its nativity. Tasts may differ, and some prefer 

 the symmetrical perfection of our dense blooms, while others 

 may regard more highly the artistic grace of the plant with 

 lighter flowers. In the one, the American culturist has sur- 

 passed his teacher, for his love has led him where the other's 

 desire would never lead. The Japanese does not so much 

 regard the beauty of blossom, which may be enjoyed apart 

 from the plant, but rather esteems that completeness which 

 makes stalk, leaf and bloom one artistic perfection. 



You all know the story of the chrysanthemum's introduction, 

 how Joseph Neesima, the Japanese runaway, exile, scholar, 

 hero. Christian educator, gave a few plants to the wife of his 

 benefactor, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy; how by her they were in- 

 trusted to the care of a florist; and how they aroused the 

 interest that to this day increases with each succeeding year. 



We have our chrysanthemum shows. Many of them surpass 

 what might be seen in Japan. Yet there are features of Japanese 

 exliibits that may have a novel interest. Apart from i)rivate 

 collections, emphasizing this or that phase of the culture accord- 



