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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



They possessed, however, richness in colour, and on this account found a few friends. 

 Eesponding to cultivation the once-despised seven displayed features which could not 

 he overlooked. Seedlings were raised from them and "sports" obtained, giving in 

 turn birth to others, and these, plus further introductions from the East, have resulted in 

 the magnificent assemblage of varieties which have captivated the public more than any 

 other flowers have done during the present generation. 



The first chrysanthemum show is said to have been held at Norwich in 1830 ; shows 

 were also held at Birmingham and Swansea in 1836 — those were presumably exhibi- 

 tions of plants; and the first competitive show of " cut blooms" was held at Stoke 

 Newington in 184G. Thus the Stoke Newington Society was the pioneer in encouraging 

 the production of blooms of the highest excellence, and it is also the parent of the 

 National Chrysanthemum Society, which was brought into existence largely by the 

 labours of the late Mr. William Holmes, of Hackney, its title having been adopted on 

 the proposal of Mr. Henry Cannell, of Swanley. 



Characteristics of Good Chrysanthemum Blooms. 



Incurved ( Chinese) Section. — When fully expanded and dressed the blooms should 

 be of globular form. The meritorious features are : Depth with breadth and firmness ; 

 smoothness with symmetry ; freshness with purity of colour and brightness. Defects : 

 A hollow or prominent eye ; breadth with flatness or looseness ; roughness or uneven- 

 ness of outline ; staleness and dinginess. 



Eeflexed ( Chinese) Section. — This group is the forerunner of the incurved section, 

 the majority of the plants being of the same vigorous, free -branching habit of growth, 

 the flowers reflexing instead of incurving. Most of the blooms are comparatively small, 

 but are valuable on account of their richness of colouring. The merits of a good flower 

 are : Size with symmetry ; freshness and brightness ; perfect imbrication of the florets. 

 Defects : Florets curled at the edges or tips, and dulness of colour. 



Japanese Section. — There are more variations of form in this section than in any 

 other, and the characteristics are necessarily less easy to define. As a general rule the 

 merits are : Diameter of each bloom in proportion with the depth ; elegance of outline ; 

 brilliancy in colour with freshness to the extremity of the florets. Defects: Coarse- 

 ness accompanying size ; lack of fulness ; dulness and staleness. 



Japanese Incurved. — It has been found necessary by some societies to form a 

 subdivision of boldly incurving Japanese varieties, this comprising all that are 



