THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
365 
their best or not yet arrived at it. Take the Poinsettia for example, 
and it may safely be said that we do not need it for another month 
at least, though it may be supposed to be in perfection from the 1st 
of November onwards. One good reason, perhaps the sole reason, 
why the Chrysanthemum is regarded with less favour than it 
deserves, is that it flowers at a season when the wealthy are least in 
need of flowers. Certainly in great cities, where it is better cared 
for than in country places, it finds less favour from the great, and is 
especially the flower of the humbler classes, — for in one case it is 
the gardener’s especial pet, and in another the only flower the 
mechanic can hope to grow creditably,- — -yet at many country seats, 
where hunting and shooting keep a good company together until 
late in the year, this splendid subject ought to have much more 
attention than it obtains ; for it is not only capable of atfording a 
substitute for other flowers during six or eight weeks of the gloom- 
iest period of the year, but it oft'ers more variety than any other 
subject that can be obtained in flower at the same season. Let us 
just consider what flowers are available for November and December. 
Out of doors we may say there are none at all except these, and 
they last as long as weather allows them. Within doors the Poin- 
settia, the Camellia, the Thyrsacanthus, and a few heaths make up 
the November garland ; and if the Chinese Primula, and the 
Persian Cyclamen be added, the catalogue is complete of subjects 
that contribute in any eminent degree to the production of a display. 
The Chrysanthemum literally supersedes all these things while it 
lasts, and we may consider it good for six weeks. As to variety, it 
is true we want brighter shades of red and crimsom ; but we have 
superb shades of white, blush, yellow, and rose colour, and the grand 
outlines of the best specimen blooms afford a pleasure to apprecia- 
tive eyes altogether distinct from that resulting from a rich dis- 
play of colours. No one who has seen Chrysanthemums well done 
can remain indifferent to their beauties and their uses. In a few 
private gardens we have seen collections of these flowers so well 
grown and so tastefully grouped, that we are compelled to marvel 
that in so many places where a display at this season would be 
appropriate the Chrysanthemum meets with but small attention. 
There is, indeed, in many minds a prejudice against it— perhaps 
because it has always been a middle-class subject, not costing thou- 
sands of pounds to obtain a few plants, or requiring elaborate treat- 
ment in its cultivation. That there are defects in the flower itself 
cannot be denied ; perhaps we may find defects in the customary 
modes of displaying them ; perhaps also there may be something 
wanting to render exhibitions of Chrysanthemums largely attractive 
and satisfactory ; and if these several defects are removed, we may 
hope to see the Chrysanthemum rise rapidly in the estimation of 
persons possessed of means and taste. 
Let us look to the flower itself. AVe find in its varieties pure 
white, delicate shades of blush and pink, and the purest tones of 
yellow. There is no pure red, no pure crimson, no true purple. 
Nevertheless many of the intermediate shades of colour are agreeable, 
and when skilfully harmonized effective ; for example, if we see a 
December. 
