so MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Euglaud as first class, Mr. Thorpe did not believe there had 

 been twenty-four flowers shpAvn here in one stand that would rank 

 in England as second or scarcely third class. In regard to speci- 

 men plants of the old incurved kind, he said that they were not 

 equal in quality to the cut flowers of that famous variety. Mrs. 

 Eundle and her two sports, which alwa\'s appear in competitive 

 groups. In six varieties there are generally two out of the three 

 Rundles, and when nine or more varieties are exhibited it is 

 almost a certainty that all the Rundle varieties are shown among 

 them. 



A question was asked where were the best twelve Japanese 

 varieties originated, — in Japan, America, France, or England? 

 Mr. Thorpe replied that at this date probably the best twelve were 

 direct importations from Japan, but added, that by next year, or 

 the year after at the farthest, twenty-four American-raised seed- 

 lings will be in cultivation that will beat an equal number from 

 iiny other country. From the fact that there are so many engaged 

 in raising seedlings, and also because the standard of require- 

 ments has been raised so high, there are now a great many seed- 

 lings on probation. If thej prove to be as good as Avhen seen last 

 season, they will give us these additional good varieties. 



In reply to the question, what are the very best late kinds, to 

 have in flower at Christmas, Mr. Thorpe named Mrs. Humph- 

 reys, Ethel, Mrs. H. J. Jones, and Governor of Guernsey, as 

 ordinarily late flowering kinds ; but it depends a great deal upon 

 the manipulation of the plants. For instance, if the plants are 

 allowed to become very drj' in August, and the wood ripens, they 

 Avill flower the middle of November ; but if they are kept growing 

 and the wood remains soft several weeks later, they will flower in 

 December. The question is not so much when the cuttings are 

 taken, as it is how continuously they are kept gi-owing, from the 

 time the}' are rooted, up to, say eight weeks before they are 

 required to be in flower. Perhaps it would be better to take cut- 

 tings of late flowering kinds later, rather than very early. 



Michael H. Norton asked for a list of names of the best half 

 dozen varieties for market. 



Mr. Thorpe said he would not attempt that. He would prefer 

 to name one hundred — he did name fifty or more — and would 

 leave the more select choice to his questioner, who would doubtless 

 -want them coming into the market from September 1 , to January 

 1, consisting of all the popular colors, such as yellow, white. 



