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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



NEW VARIETIES OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



By Mr. E. Molyneux, F.R.H.S. 



Much attention is naturally given to the introduction and 

 development of Chrysanthemums, and rightly so, for if the supply 

 of new varieties were to cease, the great and increasing interest in 

 what is justly styled the Queen of the Autumn would not be sus- 

 tained. I do not mean to say that a lesser number of plants would 

 be cultivated, because the demand for flowers for various purposes 

 would have to be met ; but few persons will deny that the intense 

 interest now displayed in the Chrysanthemum is largely attri- 

 butable to the introduction of new forms. While old friends of 

 proved worth are greatly valued, new are sought for, in the hope 

 of finding distinct features in them, and new points of merit, 

 yearly. There is nowadays such a craving after novelties that 

 sterling new kinds are sure to meet with their just reward at the 

 hands of the public. Of one thing I am positive, and it is this. 

 If those persons who are responsible for the description of new 

 varieties were to be more careful in setting forth their distinct 

 qualities, and adopt a more simple and exact method of describ- 

 ing their colours, they would add much to the interest which is 

 already felt in the introduction of new forms in any section of 

 this extensive family. I have not come to that conclusion without 

 good reason. The colours in the case of many sorts are so 

 glowingly depicted, hence complicated, that it is much too difficult 

 a matter to find them in the flowers. 



I do not suggest that the new varieties sent out annually, and 

 which, unfortunately, in some instances are merely reproductions 

 under new names, are wilfully overpraised, but I do think that, 

 with a better system of proving accurately whether a variety 

 is really new, distinct, and good, before being distributed, more 

 confidence would be felt in new varieties and the demand for 

 them largely increase. 



It is annoying, after spending money and time in cultivating 

 what was thought to be not only new, but improvement upon 

 existing varieties, to find they are neither one nor the other. 

 Such experience as that creates mistrust and a relaxation of 

 interest in kinds of which nothing is known beyond catalogue 



