CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN AMERICA. 89 



hydrants are used so as to economise labour as much as 

 possible. 



The fundamental difference between the cultivation of 

 exhibition plants in America and in England lies 'briefly in 

 this : In America, plants make three breaks to two breaks 

 made by the same varieties in England. Propagation does 

 not begin until February, and as the plants are grown 

 indoors through the season, the .growth is much more 

 rapid than is the case in this country. This has also the 

 effect of reducing the number of florets, and, therefore, 

 flowers that do not come extra double in England would 

 probably show an eye when grown under American con- 

 ditions. I saw very clearly myself, varieties like The 

 Hon. Mrs. Lopes, Purity, Master James, and Master David 

 all had eyes as large as a shilling, while W. Mease, Mrs. 

 H. Stevens, and others which had been sent over at the 

 same time, were in every way splendid specimens as re- 

 gards size and colour. 



It should also be mentioned that in America no stop- 

 ping or timing is practised, the first buds being secured 

 after about August loth. 



At the Shows. 



Chrysanthemums are generally exhibited at the shows in 

 classes of 18, 20, and 25 distinct varieties. In all cases 

 blooms are placed in vases, whether the exhibit consists of 

 only one flower or as many as 50, and the vases are from 

 seven to eighteen inches high. The feature that seems 

 quite new to English ideas is the plan frequently adopted of 

 having classes comprising 12, 25, and even 50 blooms of 

 one sort. The stems range from 18 in. to 4 ft. in length, 

 and the vases containing these specimens are from a few 

 inches to ia foot across at the top, according to the number 

 of individual flowers each contains. I rather fancy that it 

 would be quite out of the question to expect English 

 growers to stage 25 or 50 chrysanthemums of one variety 

 as a separate class tat a show in this country; but our 

 American cousins, as all the world knows, are in the 

 habit of doing most things on a large scale ! 



