THE FIRST CHRYSANTHEMUM IN ENGLAND. 7 



Hambledon, W. Seward, Mdm. Ad. Chatm, Deuil de Jules 

 Ferry, Beauty of Castlewood, Souvenir de Petite Amie, 

 Rose Wynne, etc. It will be found interesting to compare 

 the foregoing chrysanthemums with the list of the most 

 popular varieties at the present day as set forth at the end 

 of this book. 



Popularity of Chrysanthemums. 



And here let me remark in passing that from time to 

 time articles are published or speeches are made in which 

 the writer or speaker proves apparently to his own satis- 

 faction that the chrysanthemum trade is on the wane, and 

 that the flower is declining in favour. But this is not my 

 experience ; indeed, the contrary is the case. For every two 

 or three traders who fail, a score of new-comers are to be 

 found joining the ranks of professional growers, and the 

 amateurs are an ever-increasing army ! I do not pretend 

 to be a prophet, but I venture to say, looking to the future, 

 that the popularity of the chrysanthemum will not die. 

 The flower comes to perfection at a period of the year 

 when no other flower, procurable at such a trifling outlay, 

 can be obtained to fill its place. 



Enthusiastic Amateurs. 



As regards the early flowering chrysanthemums, im- 

 mense strides in their cultivation have been made, for up 

 to 1889 there were very few good varieties. Comprised in 

 the best were : Mdm. C. Desgrange, St. Grouts, Nanum, 

 Little Bob, Fred Pele, Precocite, Flora, Mdm. Jolivart, 

 La Vierge, Lyon, Blushing Bride, Mrs. Burrell, Mrs. 

 Hawkins, Alice Butcher, Anastasia, and a few others. But 

 the late Mr. W. Piercy took up their culture, and about the 

 year 1889 he wrote an article upon them, in which he re- 

 marked : " We want a few more enthusiastic amateurs, 

 and any spare money we can get, for these are the things 

 to help on the progress of these early varieties, which ap- 

 pear capable of boundless extension." There never was a 

 more accurate forecast. At that time, too, the late Mr. 

 Russell, of Mytchett, Farnborough, Hants, was directing 



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