40 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to the Chrysanthemum, but appear to have expended nearly all 

 their genius on the well-deserving rose, and other flowers. 



Here is a translation of a poem, by Satoni Sensei, a native 

 Japanese : 



" bloom of Chrysantheraum , 

 Fabled of old, 

 A fountain of rapture 



And sweetness untold — 

 The dewy wine sparkled 

 With life in its flame, 

 And mortals partaking 



Immortal became. 

 But lo ! There hath opened 



A wonderful flower, 

 For God's love hath blossomed — 



Soul life in its dower, 

 And its petals shall shine 



More endearing than thine, 

 With their fabulous treasures of life-giving wine, — 



Far fairyland's store, — 

 And its dewdrops shall glow. 

 And its fragrance shall grow 



From more unto more 

 While the years come and go." 



We are indebted to Dr. Walcott, of Cambridge, and Mr. W. K. 

 Harris, of Philadelphia, who were pioneers in fertilization of the 

 flowers in this country, for varieties which they have produced. 

 They were instrumental in creating a wide interest in the flow- 

 ers. Later Mr. Thomas H. Spaulding, of New Jersey, and Mr. E. 

 G. Hill, of Richmond, Indiana, took up the cultivation. 



There is one thing to which I wish to call the special attention 

 of your Society, that it may, I trust, be abandoned : it is the un- 

 sightly staking of Chrysanthemum plants with willow and other 

 stakes, reminding one of a cripple supported on crutches. Thej' 

 have neither grace, finish, nor even presentable foliage, or flowers 

 with either form or coloring. If judged by a correct standard of 

 coloring and finish or foliage, all would be condemned, and rele- 

 gated to the rear. While the late exhibit showed wonderful 

 specimens of single flowers, the plant exhibit was anything but 

 creditable as compared with the cut blooms. I trust that the 

 coming season plants will be judged by a standard of blooms, b}" 

 finish and luxuriance of foliage, by the form and color of bloom, 



