THE EARLY-FLOWERING CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



433 



Dahlias and Violas, during 1914, showed conclusively what I had known 

 for years, that trials made in the south of England are not in many 

 cases of material value as a guide to northern cultivators. The Royal 

 Horticultural Society conducts trials at Wislcy, and it will look like 

 presumption on my part to make suggestions or give advice to a 

 Society surrounded by the best experts of the day. Perhaps some of 

 you have heard it said " that fools will on occasions rush in where 

 angels fear to tread," and if on this occasion I play the fool I am 

 quite prepared to take the consequences of my indiscretion in seeking 

 to tread on hallowed ground. 



Take, for example, the trial of Chrysanthemums conducted at 

 Wisley and the one initiated by myself in Scotland. Even under the 

 best conditions none of these was conclusive, although I venture to 

 think that, for reasons which I will presently submit, my own trial was 

 the more conclusive of the two for my part of the country. 



(The number of lots sent in, by the way, was 584, and of these 

 249 were Japanese kinds, 113 Singles, and two only of Pompons, a 

 remarkable contrast to the previous trial. In all, 403 varieties 

 were represented.) 



I have already endeavoured to show you the great difference in the 

 times of flowering due to earlier or later propagation, and it is con- 

 ceivable that the plants sent to Wisley for trial were propagated at very 

 varying dates and consequently bloomed earlier or later accordingly. 

 This is borne out by the fact tha.t in several instances varieties 

 which are sports from the same source, or which usually flower about 

 the same time, are recorded as blooming many weeks apart. The 

 reason why I favour the results of my own trial is that a large number 

 of the varieties were propagated on the spot and at the same date. 

 My stock plants also are propagated at one time, and I have thus an 

 opportunity of making more careful comparisons than if a mixed lot 

 were^grown. Then, again, there was the season at Wisley, which was all 

 against the plants appearing in their true character so far as growth is 

 concerned, although it ought not to have affected the rotation of 

 flowering. Take the variety ' Galatea,' for example : this is at its 

 best in Scotland at the end of August or early September, but 

 it is recorded at Wisley as the end of September. ' Bella McNeil ' 

 — a sport from ' Lizzie McNeill ' — ' Stella ' and ' Lizzie McNeill ' 

 all flower in the north in August or very early September, and 

 the Wisley report says early September, mid-October, and late 

 October respectively. I could easily give other instances, but these 

 may suffice. The three varieties last mentioned are in Scotland poor, 

 weak, and straggly growers — with fine flowers, however — and I was 

 surprised to note that ' Stella ' received an Award of Merit when under 

 trial. 



In my opinion, any Chrysanthemum — or even a Dahlia — trial 

 should be continued over two years to get anything like reliable results. 

 Where plants are grown from seeds one year will generally be sufficient 

 to bring out any merits, or the reverse, but with such subjects as 



