THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 59 



purposes for which this paper was intended, I will confine myself 

 to giving a list of such as I have found to possess superior qualities, 

 selecting for description only a few that I deem worthy of special 

 mention. 



I do not pretend to say that my list contains all the varieties that 

 are worthy of cultivation ; but I think it will be found that all those 

 I have selected are distinct and desirable sorts. As regards their 

 cultivation, I will give an account of my own experience in the 

 matter ; following it with a few remarks upon seed raising. 



In number, the varieties already reach far into the thousands ; 

 and each year there are added to this long list from fifty to a 

 hundred more, by the various raisers of France, England, and 

 America, and by direct importation from Japan. 



While scarcely two varieties can be found exactly alike, many 

 of them are so nearly alike that it is useless to consider them as 

 distinct; for the time has come when the vahie of a collection 

 depends more upon the judgment used in selecting than upon the 

 number of varieties it contains. The selection of varieties is no 

 easy matter ; as everyone must know who has ever attempted to 

 select a dozen or two from a large collection, especially if he has 

 only a descriptive list to assist his examinations. 



The diversities, in habit of plant, form of flower, and color 

 of petal, are almost past comprehension ; while the most accurate 

 description that can be written falls far short of the reality, and 

 can give but little idea of the true character of a variety. 



How meaningless description seems when we compare our best 

 efforts with the flowers themselves ; for who can find words to 

 describe the beautiful and endless variation in form of flower and 

 petal and the exquisite blending and shading of colors that well 

 nigh defy the skill of the best artists to represent. Their finest 

 productions can do little more than give us a general idea of the 

 beauty of the flowers. 



In presenting a descriptive list of varieties I cannot hope to 

 please every one, for the tastes of different individuals are often 

 quite opposite, and what to one seems to contain all the elements 

 of beauty to another is quite devoid of them. Thus to some the 

 soft and delicate shadings of white and pink have no charms ; 

 • and to others the beautiful blendings of crimson and gold seem 

 gaudy ; others can find no beauty in the delicately silvered ama- 

 ranths ; and so on through all the rich and beautiful colors so 

 charmingly displayed in these flowers. 



