1892.] ESSAYS. 155 



themums were shown during the year, in the whole country ; the 

 past year, exhibitions where the Chrysanthemum was the only 

 or the principal attraction, were held in almost every city of 

 any considerable size in the New England, Middle and Western 

 States from Maine to California. 



In the earlier years only the Chinese varieties consisting of 

 the Keflexed and Incurved Large-flowered, the Anemone and 

 Pompons were cultivated ; later the Japanese varieties with their 

 long tubular or flat twisted petals were introduced ; and since, by 

 crossing, the varieties have become so intermingled that the lines 

 of demarcation have almost become obliterated. Two National 

 Chrysanthemum Societies of England issued a catalogue in 1890, 

 in which an effort was made to include and classify every variety 

 then in cultivation in that country, and the Society of American 

 Florists propose soon to issue a catalogue including all the 

 known varieties in cultivation in this country up to 1892, the object 

 being to secure correct nomenclature and to assist exhibitors in 

 placing their specimens in the classes to which they properly 

 belong. But the constant crossing of the Japanese with the 

 Large-flowered, will necessitate frequent revision to avoid con- 

 troversy between judges and exhibitors in staging the blooms. 



The methods of growing the Chrysanthemum have essentially 

 changed within the past few years. Formerly, and to some 

 extent at the present time, it is the practice to take the cuttings 

 in January and February, and grow them in a cool house near 

 the glass to prevent their becoming drawn or leggy until the 

 first of April, then transferring them into cold frames, giving 

 plenty of air and in pleasant days removing the sashes. About 

 first to tenth of May, the plants may be turned from the pots 

 into the open ground allowing six square feet of space to each 

 plant, nipping them three or four times, depending upon the 

 varieties, to produce a shrubby growth and secure a desirable 

 shape of the plant ; the nipping back of the plants should not 

 be continued later than the middle of July. If the plants are 

 set in good soil and properly cared for, they should average 

 three feet in height and the same in diameter by the middle of 

 August, when they should be taken up and potted. In making 

 this change, the most important matter is having suitable potting 



