NEW VARIETIES OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



123 



descriptions. I will mention one example of disappointment of 

 the nature indicated. A variety in the incurved section has been 

 grown for trial this season under the name of Belle Poitevire, 

 described in several catalogues thus, " incurved, large, flowers 

 pure white, reverse slightly rose as it declines." After ten 

 months' care bestowed upon the plants the blooms prove this so- 

 called novelty to be none other than our old friend Mrs. G. Bundle, 

 which usually assumes a slight rose colour when the petals lose 

 their freshness. I now pass on to notice some varieties of recent 

 introduction that I think are worthy of being called improvements, 

 either in form or colour, on their predecessors. 



Taking the incurved section first, I find that during the last 

 ten years only fourteen varieties have been added which are 

 likely to retain their position ; this is a slow rate of progress 

 certainly. With two exceptions, Jeanne d'Arc and Mr. Brunlees, 

 they are sports, and because of this the additions reveal no new 

 character except in two instances, and these of a slight nature 

 only — Lord Alcester and Mr. Bunn ; the former is a sport from 

 Golden Empress of India, and perhaps the finest type of an 

 incurved Chrysanthemum, owing to the superior general " build " 

 of the blooms over that of its parent and all others ; and the latter 

 variety by the better formation of its petals over its parent, Golden 

 Beverley. By the introduction of new varieties we gain additional 

 colours, which enable us to retain in cultivation only those which 

 are good in form as incurved flowers, hence raising the general 

 standard of quality all through a collection, provided we banish 

 the inferior in colour or quality. The variety which has pro- 

 duced the largest number latterly of sports is Princess Teck, 

 viz., Mrs. Norman Davis, rich golden-yellow, which sported from 

 the type in 1886, and in time produced the deep bronze-red, 

 centre cinnamon, named Charles Gibson ; Lord Eversley, a pure 

 white variety from the original type, followed ; and, lastly, Lady 

 Dorothy, paler in colour than Charles Gibson. Although these 

 may be termed new, the parent is quite equal in every respect, if not 

 superior, to any of the progeny. Princess of Wales and her off- 

 spring Mrs. Heales have lately produced two splendid varieties, 

 Violet Tomlin and Miss M. A. Haggas, the former purple- violet 

 and the latter a light golden-yellow ; the form of each is quite of 

 the best, and they are valuable additions. With the exception of 

 Bronze Queen of England, introduced three years since, no new 



