86 A fiUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



stems with a wire, in as many different forms as the nature 

 of the plants would allow, and a stranger at a little distance 

 could not account for their symmetry being kept in such a 

 position. In 1808 Sir Abraham Hume and others intro- 

 duced eight new varieties of the finer quality. When we 

 consider how badly this" plant bears packing, we need not 

 wonder at their not being introduced faster into Europe 

 than they were. There has been a great change in this 

 fall beauty of late years ; we are no more dependent on 

 China for new varieties, as they are brought to seed in 

 France, the Isle of Jersey in the British Channel, and in this 

 country. From this circumstance new varieties are raised 

 every season. It is with regret that the quantity has elicited 

 more enthusiasm than the quality ; therefore it is most de- 

 sirable for persons to purchase when in flower, unless you 

 take varieties that have proved good flowerers. 



The Chrysanthemum is divided into the following clas- 

 ses: Ranunculus flowered, 13 varieties ; in-curving Ra- 

 nunculus, flowered 6 varieties ; China Aster flowered, 6 

 varieties ; Marigold flowered, 7 varieties ; Tassel flowered, 

 11 varieties, and half double Tassel flowered, 5 varieties. 

 There are 48 varieties described in the Horticultural Trans- 

 actions in England, and additional varieties arranged in 

 the Gardener's Magazine. I do not know a flower that is 

 more calculated to please any person that has the least taste 

 for flowers than this, for we find it in almost every family, 

 and is the poor as well the rich man's flower. Being easi- 

 ly cultivated makes it rather common, but does not impair 

 its beauty, or, like most common flowers, lessen its value in 

 the mind of the public, if it does the price. From the num- 

 ber cf fine plants now in cultivation, a person can be fur- 



