CHHYSAXTIIKMrMS. 77 



Discission. 



Leverett IM. Chase asked about the character of the uew, early 

 l)loomiug varieties advertised in Europe, particularly those raised 

 by M. Delaux, in France; also how they thrive in America, — a 

 point of importance to those who have no greenhouse. 



INIr. Thorpe replied that with one or two exceptions, the earl}^ 

 flowering varieties raised in Europe have not given satisfaction 

 here, owing to their being unable to withstand the excessive heat 

 of our summer. It is reasonable to expect that a few of the 

 many early varieties offered b}' Delaux, will succeed here, but how 

 many will have to be proved by trial. The moist and temperate 

 climate of France and England, where chrysanthemums do well 

 out of doors, is very different from ours. If we desire to succeed 

 in raising a series of earlj^ flowering varieties to withstand the 

 variations and vicissitudes of our climate, we must raise our oavu 

 seedlings and save none but those that stand the ordeal to which 

 they are subjected here. In other words they must be to the 

 manor born. 



M. Delaux claims for his set that they will begin to flower as 

 •earl}^ as the fifteenth of July. "We have already several pompons 

 that would flower by that date provided that they could be made 

 to grow. The speaker thought that what we require is a series, 

 beginning to flower not earlier than the first of September, having 

 the characteristics mentioned in the essay. M. C. Nichols is a vari- 

 ety having some of these good points ; it is a sturdy grower and has 

 thick, leathery leaves ; the flowers are of medium size, rather unde- 

 cided in color, and bloom about the fifth of October. Harvest Queen 

 is a good white, as is also Mile. Lacroix ; these flower about the 

 fifteenth of October. The flowers of the last two are much better 

 when grown under glass. 



Richard T. Lombard inquired what Japanese variet}^ Mr. 

 Thorpe esteemed the best for cut flowers, for market. 



Mr. Thorpe said that depended on what color was desired. If 

 white, he named Jessica. The best yellow is Rohallion, blooming 

 the tenth of October, followed b}^ Gloriosum, about the fifteenth. 

 It is astonishing how much difference five days make. 



In reply to a question as to what variety remains longest in 

 perfection, Mr. Thorpe said that it depends on the time of the 3'ear. 

 The duration of bloom varies from fifteen to twenty-five days. 

 By judicious selection and special cultivation chrysanthemums can 



