DUrysaiitlieiiiii!! at Swaniey. 
fl’lIE early snowdrop appeals to our affection as an earnest 
Ju of the coming spring, but the Ohrysanthemum cheers 
us amid the chill gloom of incoming winter, and 
remains with us almost until the flowers of the new year 
))cep forth timidly. It is no coy weakling moreover, 
(lenerous and free, it lights up the humblest cottage 
garden as it makes gorgeous the most carefully-tended 
conservatory. Although a winter flower, it affords a wealth 
of colour unrivalled, and when we only believe in the sun 
through faith it preserves for us the hues of a glorious 
summer sunset. .Tnpanese gardeners cultivated “ the goldeti 
flower ” with enthusiasm loug before we did, but we have 
beaten them at their own game. Wo had only forty varieties 
in 1832 ; now they are legion. “ I do not think Japan ha« 
anything new to offer us ; we have ransacked it,” said Mr, 
Cannell, the other day. AVe were in that wonderful hollow 
at Swanley. well named the “ Home of Flowers.” Perhaps 
nowhere che in the world can ore feast one’s eyes so well 
on that multiplicity of Protean forms and bewildering hues 
which this cousin of the o.v-eyc daisy and corn-marigold has 
assumed under cultivation. AA’ild, tangled Medusa heads, 
tiny, symmetrical button-like pompons, florets twisted and 
thread-like, loose and flowing ribbons, formal, close-set 
quills, broad, curled, and hyacinthine. hirsute and barbed, 
in colour more diverse than their forms, hear witness to the 
astonishingly varied development which distinguishes the 
most eccentric of flowers. Here, too, are the small spidery 
blooms ladies delight to honour by wearing in their corsagf. 
Among these, the Chrysanthemum of the year is Mrs. H. 
t'ilkins, just over from’.laimn, with forked florets of a full 
yellow. Another novelty is the delicate Centaurea. and 
here is Elkshorn with its .strange florets resembling a stag's antlers. This spidery variety, in addition 
to its refined beauty, has the advantage of blooming profusely, and it lasts far into the winter.^ Of a 
different order are Kentish IPAitc, one of the com ng flowers of next year; Madaute Lucien Chaure, 
of a tender fawn colour; M. Panckoucke, a deep yellow; and J. itachar. a rich orange. An 
astonishing mob-head of tangled threads is well named Good fJracious ; and another remarkable 
flower is John Bunyan, of anemone form, with a great cushion centre. The Pride of Swanley, a 
seedling of this year, is a lovely creamy bloom ; Leviathan has the inner side of its florets a deep 
rose and the reverse a silvery white; Sir Walter Raleigh is silvery and lilac; Primrose^ League 
sulphur with a white centre, and Florence Davi.s white with a greenish centre. The Princess oj 
Wales is an incurved Chinese variety. A noble flower is the great snowy ma.ss Beauty of Lxmouth, 
and a singular one is a bronze bloom with a Japanese name. One of Messrs. Cannells triumphs 
here is an old favourite, the superb deep-toned Edwin Motyneux, and the great mauve bloom Etoilc 
de Lyon, for both of which Chrysanthemum lovers are indebted to Mr. Cannell. What new 
surprises are in store next j'ear among the multitude of seedlings ranged in pots round the houses no 
one knows, but if the Blue Chrysanthemum ever heco i es a fact it will probably make its first 
appearance at Swanley.— THE ECHO, 29th Nov., 1894. 
For the best treatise, “ How to grow the Chrysanthemum to perfection,” 
see Molyneux’s Book, sent post free. Is. 2d. 
STAKDARD. 
aAEDENERS MAOAZINE. 
Chrysanthemum, Must. K. Fii.kins.— A charming new decorative variety of a bright golden 
yellow, with fringed ends to the segments. This is quite a new departure, and an elegant one. 
Award of M erit. 
( 43 ) 
