126 
FINE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Chap. VIII. 
work, and avenues of plum and cherry trees, which 
seem the favourite ones at all the tea-houses and 
temples of Japan. 
This place is most famed in the vicinity of Yedo 
for the variety and beauty of its chrysanthemums. 
At the time of our visit they were in fall bloom, 
and most certainly would have delighted the eyes 
of our English florists had they found themselves 
so far away from Hammersmith, the Temple, or 
Stoke Newington. I procured some extraordinary 
varieties, most peculiar in form and in colouring, 
and quite distinct from any of the kinds at present 
known in Europe. One had petals like long thick 
hairs, of a red colour, but tipped with yellow, 
looking like the fringe of a shawl or curtain; 
another had broad white petals striped with red 
like a carnation or camellia; while others were 
remarkable for their great size and brilliant colour- 
ing. if I can succeed in introducing these varie- 
ties into Europe, they may create as great a change 
amongst chrysanthemums as my old protegee the 
modest “ Chusan daisy ” did when she became the 
parent of the present race of pompones.* 
In order to make sure of getting the finest 
varieties, I determined to take suckers from those 
in bloom at the time of my visit, and further to 
take these same suckers home under my own care. 
Having settled the price with some difficulty, I 
then intimated to the proprietor my wish that he 
should dig them up forthwith. To this he made 
* Most of them have arrived safely in England. 
