CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



127 



varieties of this species, both of which are now in Europe. One 

 bears flowers of a rich white colour ; the other is pink — and 

 both are beautifully dotted with dark spots on the under petals : 

 I think the white variety is the more beautiful of the two. The 

 corolla in form is nearly round, and not unlike the Rhodo- 

 dendron Cltamcecistus, or a finely-shaped Pelargonium, in ap- 

 pearance. 



In the woods this species has an arborescent habit, and grows 

 from 8 to 12 feet in height, but on the exposed hill sides it 

 generally forms a dwarf bush 2 or 3 feet high. Its flowers are 

 produced in great profusion in the months of April and May. 



I never met with this species in the south of China; and it is 

 probable that it will be found hardy, or nearly so, in the climate 

 of England.* It may be propagated easily enough by seeds, 

 cuttings, or layers, or it may be grafted on some of the hardy 

 species. Some of the hardy varieties of Rhododendron would 

 probably make good stocks for this purpose. One of the chief 

 points to be attended to in its cultivation is thorough drainage. 

 I invariably found it growing on the hill sides, often amongst 

 rocks and stones, where no stagnant water could remain near 

 its roots. This point being attended to, it will £e found to 

 thrive well in the same kind of soil in which the other species of 

 Azaleas are generally grown. 



XVII. — On the Culture of the Chrysanthemum. By Mr. J. B. 

 Whiting, CM. U.S., Gardener to Henry Thomas Hope, Esq., 

 F.H.S. 



(Communicated Feb. 16, 1847.) 



There has never been a season within my recollection in which 

 Chrysanthemums blossomed so superbly as in 1846; owing, 

 doubtless, to the unusual fineness of the autumn ; and as this 

 circumstance will in all likelihood bring this esteemed flower 

 into still greater favour, the present seems a proper period for 

 describing a simple method by which excellent plants may be 

 produced with less labour and greater certainty than by any 

 other method that I am acquainted with. I shall therefore de- 

 tail the course of culture followed by me last season, beginning 

 with the propagation of the plants. Cuttings of all the kinds 

 intended to be grown were planted in the usual way about the 

 middle of May, and, when sufficiently rooted, they were potted 

 singly into sixties, afterwards keeping them close in a pit until 



* It has been this winter found to bear a temperature of 4° Fahr., in a 

 low damp situation, both on a south and north aspect, without exhibiting 

 any appearance of suffering. — J. L. 



