166 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



by the compass or by the rule ; the artist, the amateur, and the 

 decorator must be pleased, as well as the true and high-bred 

 florist so-called. The best of all beauty is perfect fitness for a 

 perfect use, and is .not to be bounded by either circles or globes. 



5. Texture of the Florets. — So far, as a rule, the florets of all 

 Chrysanthemums have been smooth, but Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, 

 one of the most remarkable varieties ever sent from Japan, and 

 exhibited here to-day for the first time, opens up a vista of tex- 

 tural possibilities and potentialities undreamed of before its 

 introduction to Europe. This variety, with Phoebus, a heavy 

 yellow, ought to be welcomed by the seed-raiser as a new 

 departure indeed. We must try for a new raise of Chrysan- 

 themums having hairy or fringed florets — a result that is now 

 foreshadowed and sure to come. 



6. Colour. — Our present range of colour is not so vast as to 

 preclude the hope of more variety. From yellow and white, 

 through pink and rose tints to orange and red (very brilliant in 

 Tokio), and crimsons of varying shades to purple, is at present 

 the range. So far we have no blue Chrysanthemum, and, in- 

 deed, blue-flowered composites generally are rare. Our native 

 Chicory plant is an exception to the rule. But twenty years 

 ago nobody ever expected to see a blue Chinese Primula, and yet 

 to-day it is very nearly obtained ; and I think our Chrysan- 

 themum raisers should try for a seedling blue Chrysanthemum. 

 They may not succeed for a generation or two, but it is a result 

 sure to come sooner or later ; and although people now alive 

 may never reach the end of the journey, what lovely varieties 

 will crop up by the way ! 



7. Perfume.-— Belonging as does the Chrysanthemum to 

 that section of the composites (Anthemidce) which includes the 

 Yarrows, Camomiles, Tansy and Wormwoods, it is at once re- 

 markable as being the most agreeably fragrant of them all. The 

 Chrysanthemum flower is very often agreeably perfumed, and 

 the single white varieties as a class are the sweetest. Nearly all 

 the single-flowered kinds are more or less scented, and Progne 

 and Odorata are quite remarkable as deliciously perfumed 

 flowers, and a plant named St. Leonard in the Society's 

 collection at Chiswick has also a Violet-like fragrance. The scent 

 of the Chrysanthemum is said to be of that sweet and healthful 

 character that has a good moral in it, and it is very different to 



