PROGRESS IN CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



147 



the collapse in 1871, 1 will ask you, where should we have been 

 in this particular region of the floral world had not the new tide 

 of Japs from the South of France arrived to keep us floating ? 

 In all probability we should not be here to-day to celebrate the 

 Centenary; and so, however devoted we may be to the civilised 

 beauties that stand for the highest range of perfection, let us not 

 forget the services rendered by the savages that are so weak in 

 artistic finish, but so strong in expression and the vigour that 

 speaks of enduring vitality. 



Imported incurved flowers may date from 1820, when involu- 

 tum was obtained from China, but the first home-raised incurved 

 date from 1836, when an amateur of Jersey originated several, of 

 the history of which but little is known beyond the fact that 

 they passed into the hands of Mr. Chandler, of Vaiixhall, and, 

 through him, were distributed. Concurrently, Mr. Freestone, of 

 Norwich, raised many new seedlings, amongst them some that 

 were incurved, and these, with the Jersey seedlings, were secured 

 by Salter when he established himself at Versailles in 1838, and 

 entered upon the career that has placed his name in a high rank 

 in our floral Walhalla. Our business is not with the history 

 except in so far as it teaches something of the principles of pro- 

 gression. Well, the raisers have generally kept their secrets, 

 but Freestone has divulged that he selected semi-double flowers 

 for seed production, and forced them into early bloom to increase 

 his chances of success. In this way he secured fertility and a 

 suitable climate. 



The future of the Chrysanthemum may be predicated to this 

 extent, that when distinctive forms no longer appear, it will have 

 passed the meridian of its fame. It is not likely to " pass into 

 nothingness," but the appearance of new forms from time to 

 time will alone advance or sustain its popularity. But in the 

 evolution of the flower many new features or modifications that 

 will have the merit of novelty may reasonably be expected. Jf 

 we do not see promise of blue or scarlet flowers, we may per- 

 haps find comfort in the consideration that they are not wanted. 

 If you will take a good stand of twelve or twenty-four, and 

 having removed one flower, fill its place with a bunch of scarlet 

 Pelargoniums, you will need no further persuasion that positive 

 colours are not to be desired. It produces but one pure positive 



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