S;. dh-i\i\ell & ^or\^’ Gtuide. 
''I'lIE early snowdrop appeals to our affection as an earnest 
i of the coming spring, but the Chrysantheinum cheers 
us amid the chill gloom of incoming winter, and 
remains with us almost until the flowers of the new year 
peep forth timidly. It is no coy weakling, moreover. 
Generous 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 hoes of a glorious 
summer sunset. J apanese gardeners cultivated “the golden 
flower ” with enthusiasm long before we did, but we have 
beaten them at their own game. We had only forty varieties 
in 1832 ; now they are legion. “ I do not think Japan has 
anything new to offer us ; we have ransacked it,” said Mr. 
Cannell, the other day. We were in that wonderful hollow 
at Swanley, well named the “ Home of Flowers.” Perhaps 
nowhere else in the world can one feast one’s eyes so well 
on that multiplicity of Protean forms and bewildering hues 
which this cousin of the ox-eye daisy and corn-marigold has 
assumed under cultivation. Wild, 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, bear witness to the 
astonishingly varied development which distinguishes the 
most eccentric of flowers. Here, too, are the small spidery 
l)looms ladies delight to honour by wearing in their corsage. 
Among these, the Clirysanthemum of the year is Mrs. R. 
FWeins, just over from Japan, with forked florets of a full 
yellow. Another novelty is the delicate Ceniaurea, aui 
here is Elkshorn with its strange florets resembling a stag’s antlers. This spidery variety, in addUion 
to its rtfi.ied beauty, has the advantage of blooming profusely, and it lasts far into the winter. Ut a 
different order are Kentish White, one of the coming flowers of next year; JAu/amc Lucten thaure, 
of a tender fawn colour; M. Panckoucke, a deep yellow; and J. Machar, a rich orange. An 
astonishing mob-head of tangled threads is well named Good Gracious ; and another remarkable 
flower is John Bunyan, of anemone form, with a great cushion centre. J he Pride oj towarUey, 
a seedling of this year, is a lovely white; Leviathan has the inner side of its florets a deep 
rose and the reverse a silvery white; Sir Walter Raleigh is silvery and lilac; Byiir^e League 
sulphur with a white centre; a,nA Florence Davis white with a greenish centre. Ihe Princess oJ 
Wales is an incurved Chinese variety. A noble flower is the great snowy mass Beauty of Exmouth, 
and a singular one is a bronze bloom with a Japanese name. One of Messrs. CanneUs triumphs 
here is an old favourite, the superb deep-toned Edioin Molyneux, and the great mauve bloom Etoile 
de Lyon, for both of which Chrysanthemum lovers are indebted to Mr. Cannell. What new 
surprises are in store next year among the multitude of seedlings ranged in pots round the houses no 
one knows, but if the Blue Chrysanthemum ever becomes a fact it will probably make its hrst 
appearance at Swanley. — THE ECHO. 
For Show Box, Tubes, &c., see pages 66 and 66. 
For the best treatise, “ How to grow the Chrysantbemum to perfeotion, 
see Molynenx’s Book, sent post free. Is. 2d. 
8TANUAKD. 
OARDENER'S MAGAZINE. 
CiiRTSANTHEMDH, Mrb. E. Filkins. — A charming new decorative variety of a bright golden 
yellow, with fringed ends to the segments. 'J’his is quite a new departure, and an elegant one. 
Award of Merit. . , , . , ; . ' 
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