72 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETr. 



The genus Chrysanthemum comprises nearly one hundred 

 species. The one from which all the present varieties have been 

 derived is supposed to be the Chrysanthemum Indicum^ a rather 

 inconspicuous, single, yellow flower. Through the zeal of indefat- 

 igable horticulturists, this flower has by degrees attained almost 

 the zenith of perfection. 



The Chrysanthemums at present in cultivation are divided into 

 several classes, namely, the Chinese, Japanese, Anemone and 

 Pompons. Each class is again subdivided into several others ; 

 thus we have the Chinese Incurved, Chinese Reflexed, the Japa- 

 nese Incurved and Reflexed, Japanese Anemone, Pompon 

 Anemone, and so on. Lately the hybrid varieties produced by 

 intercrossing different tj'pes have brought forms that are hard to 

 class in any particular group. The aim of the raiser nowadays is 

 to produce large flowering varieties ; the substance, color, stem, 

 and habit of the plant seem to be secondary considerations. It is 

 especially noticeable that while hundreds upon hundreds of new 

 Japanese varieties have been raised every year, very few of the 

 Chinese class have been added, while the Pompons are discarded 

 and rarely seen. 



When hybridizing, the principal object should be to improve 

 upon the vigor and color of present varieties rather than the mere 

 size. A first class chrysanthemum should be of free growth with 

 stiff stems ; the foliage clean and furnishing the stems up to the 

 flower, while the flowe^ itself should be of a good substance, *well 

 formed and of a pleasing color. The colors that are yet to be 

 obtained, — aside from the impossible blue, which I never expect to 

 see, — are a fine, clear orange and a clear, bright red, two colors 

 that are needed to brighten up our collections. 



A great number of the leading varieties of chrysanthemums 

 have been from time to time imported from Japan, and when the 

 hairy variety, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, made its appearance, it raised 

 a sensation amongst chrysanthemum lovers ; and we hope that 

 this variety may be a parent of quite a distinct class, although the 

 seedlings raised from it have not yet produced any that were 

 furnished with the glandular hairs which give to it its peculiar 

 beauty. The majority of the chrysanthemums at present in culti- 

 vation have been raised in Europe and, of late years, in America. 

 Our country has begun late, but it has made up for the time lost, 

 and at present the most valuable and esteemed varieties grown 



