THE CHRYSANTHEMUM— ITS HISTORY AND PROGRESS. 



279 



E. Molyneux as an example, but of late years British and French growers, the British in 

 particular, have devoted their energies with excellent results to raising seedlings. 



The exhibitions of the present day are in many ways vastly more interesting than 

 those of a few years ago, when the Chrysanthemum was grown merely for show in regular 

 boxes, with nothing to reveal the picturesqueness and gracefulness of the flower grown in 

 something like a natural way- A departure has been made in groups, w hich are freer and 

 more artistic, foliage plants being used in their formation, and we know from many bold 

 stands that the big blooms are wonderfully handsome and effective shown in tall vases. 



It must be remembered that although the exhibition stimulates a national interest in 

 the plant, at home and across 

 the seas to New Zealand and 

 Australia, cementing that 

 brotherhood we hold so pre- 

 cious, yet to regard the flower 

 merely for show is a mistake. 

 It gilds the dark months of 

 the year with colour and brings 

 sunshine into the little green- 

 houses of the amateur, no 

 matter whether in a smoke- 

 begrimed London suburb or 

 in the pure country air. The 

 annual displays in the London 

 parks testify as to the utter 

 indifference of the plant to 

 evil atmospheres, whilst 

 through seedling raising and 

 sports the season has been 

 greatly extended, flowers 

 being with us even into the 

 early months of the year, 

 when for decoration they are 

 of course invaluable. 



No decorative tlower 

 of the winter surpasses this 

 Eastern favourite, the 

 Japanese and delightful single 

 varieties in particular, which 

 produce sprays of dainty 

 blossoms of many colours, white as pure as snow, crimson, golden yellow, and other tints. One 

 can possess too much of even this magnificent flower, and sometimes regret that the Scarlet 

 Salvias and other winter favourites dear to our forefathers have been pushed aside. Unless 

 the grower wishes to distinguish himself at the exhibition, Chrysanthemum culture is simple ; 

 it is when the buds have to be retained and an elaborate system of stopping and other 

 particulars are required that growing the plants becomes something in the nature of a tine art. 



Chrysanthemums are bein^ improved greatly for the open air in early September 

 and October. Later acquisitions reveal a more extended series of colours, and in time the 

 plant will probably be grown in a gi eater variety of ways to embellish the garden when, 

 may be, the early frosts have turned the tender exotics to corruption. Exhibitions may 

 decline in favour, for fashion is tickle, but the tlower is too useful to disappear from the 

 English garden, or, indeed, from the gardens of the world. 



THE CHRYSANTHEMUM AS A CLIMBER 



