CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



221 



future is hidden from us, but thoughts will arise : Is it possible 

 that still greater improvement can be made ? and, Will this 

 flower continue to retain the hold it has taken upon all classes, 

 especially on those who live in our large towns ? I think most 

 people will say 11 Yes " to both propositions. 



In speaking of the general improvement of recent introduc- 

 tions, it is not alone in size and formation of blooms or in rich- 

 ness of colour we see it, but notably in much dwarfer plants, the 

 great advantage of which cannot be too highly appreciated for 

 all purposes. As an instance of this, we can take that good old 

 variety Madame C. Audiguier. To obtain a good exhibition 

 bloom of this it was not uncommon to have to run up growth 

 ten feet high ; whereas now either that grand acquisition Viviand 

 Morel, or W. Tricker, can take its place on the exhibition board 

 cut from plants often not more than three feet in height, their 

 naturally dwarf habit being also more useful for all decorative 

 purposes. The best white Japanese of a few years ago was Fair 

 Maid of Guernsey, but this tall grower has had to make room 

 for such grand dwarf varieties as Avalanche, Stanstead White, 

 and others ; while among the yellows, though Thunberg is still a 

 lovely flower, yet for general usefulness, combined with exhibiting 

 purposes, it cannot be compared with W. H. Lincoln, Sunflower, 

 and many more. And so we find year by year the old giving 

 place to the new. We may relinquish old favourites with reluc- 

 tance, but each has to go in its turn, for fashions and tastes vary, 

 and we are compelled to move with the times. 



There is yet another advantage connected with these dwarfer 

 varieties, and it is perhaps the greatest of all, viz. that it allows 

 a greater number of growers — those with limited greenhouse 

 accommodation — to include the best and leading varieties in 

 their restricted collections, amateurs and small growers being 

 able thereby to have as pleasing a display, if not so large, as 

 those possessing unlimited greenhouses. 



II. Advice to Small Growers. 



In the first place I would warn small growers against attempt- 

 ing too much, for this generally ends in disappointment and 

 failure. It can hardly be expected that anyone possessing only 

 a very small greenhouse and garden can produce the same magni- 

 ficent blooms as are seen at our great exhibitions. Yet the plant 



