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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Kovembor 8,1883. 
•well entitling them to a higher place in the esteem of flower lovers. My 
■communication wa9 subjected to much criticism. But, in language now 
classical and much hackneyed, “ many things have happened since then,” 
and one of the mo9t marked changes in public taste then just beginning 
to appear has become fully developed. I mean the now fashionable tas'e 
for single flowers. Having once been in the fashion, and thereby drawn 
the attention of all classes, it is not likely that single flowers will again 
become unduly despised, or double ones unduly exalted, though at present 
single ones are the craze. The word “craze” is written advisedly, for with 
many it is not love of flowers, but love of fashion. The great tall-growing, 
huge-flowering Sunflowers have a decidedly strong claim on those who 
have a garden ; and they are handsome, bold, and beautiful when properly 
employed. But as breast bouquets -1 
The great beauty of most single flowers is their elegance or their 
neatness. There seems a deep-rooted idea that it is in their size. Just 
get a flower larger than usual and the producer is delighted beyond 
measure. His idea is that nothing can be too lank, and as for coarseness, 
nothing is too coarse for an unrefined taste. Happily, very happily, a 
strong opinion exists that we have been having our things too large, and 
a decided flow of public opinion is setting in in favour of good things no 
matter what their size may be. Indeed it may be doubted if there is not 
an inclination towards favouring things because of their smallness. 
But it depends on what it is. If it is a Dendrobium or an Odonto- 
glossum, then the larger the better ; if a Dahlia, the smaller. Now the 
taste that prefers an Odontoglossum simply because it is a little larger 
than some other equally beautiful in every other respect may be questioned. 
Taste with such persons is a mathematical matter. However, we have no 
fault to find with those who prefer their beauty on a large scale, only we 
confess to a liking for having many things not larger than now but 
smaller. If Sunflowers are to be used for buttonholes and breast bouquets 
(which they will not a couple of years hence) instead of the great glaring 
disks so often employed, would not neat little Daisy-like flowers like 
Marguerites or some of the smaller Dahlias be more proper ? 
Speaking of Dahlias, it may be doubted if there are many more shades 
producible that are worth striving for—unless the blue can be evolved. 
What seems the most desirable points to secure are dwarfness, floriferous- 
ness, and, above all, flowers that will not so readily drop their ray florets. 
There remains something to be done in this direction. 
It is a wonder that no single Chrysanthemums are forthcoming. They 
would be certain to take at the present juncture. An Ox-eye Daisy or a 
Corn Marigold at Christmas, if presented in its thousands, ought to be 
enough to make a little fortune to its producer. Marguerites silver and 
gold, ought to be in much demand.—S. H. 
NEW CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT CAMBERWELL. 
During several years Mr. Davis, 66, Warner Road, Camberwell, has 
made a speciality of Chrysanthemums, and has made a point of procur¬ 
ing all the principal new varieties annually raised on the continent to 
compare with the older and better known favourites. His collection 
has steadily increased, notwithstanding that the proved useless varieties 
are discarded to make room for the more meritorious, and it now com¬ 
prises over 900 varieties, including many old curiosities and all the finest 
of the additions obtained within recent years. Considerable attention 
has also been paid to raising seedlings, and one large bed of Pompons 
contains several of great promise, while a series of “single varieties” 
bear such popular names as Oscar Wilde, ^Esthetic, Iolanthe, and others 
of a similar character. The one last named is very promising, and with¬ 
out doubt the whole group will be welcome in a decorative point of view. 
This rapid extension of the collection has rendered the old business 
premises insufficient for the puip ise, and ground has been procured that 
will allow much more scope for the cultivation of the plants in large 
quantities. Several houses there of moderate dimensions are already 
filled, but others will soon be required to contain the stock. 
It need scarcely be said that the plants throughout are in admirable 
condition, and a large number of the blooms are fit for any exhibition 
stand, and, moreover, would require no “dressing” to prepare them for 
•that place of honour. Mr. Davis rightly considers that numbers of 
varieties when thoroughly well grown do not need any manipulation, as 
the mere act of placing them in their cups brings the blooms into suitable 
form. This is especially notable in the case of the Mrs. G. Rundle 
family, which this season have proved remarkably good there, and with 
such handsome varieties as Queen of England, Empress of India, and 
Alfred Salter, with the golden types of the two former are simply mag¬ 
nificent. In several cases it is indeed doubtful if better examples will 
be staged this season. Some fine blooms of Nil Desperandum are also 
notable, particularly on plants that were cut down to within 6 inches of 
the soil in May last, the two shoots taken up from each plant bearing 
blooms of great size and substance, far superior to those on other plants 
not so stopped. This is a hint that is worth attention, as several other 
varieties appear to be advantageously treated in the same way. All the 
finest of the incurved varieties are grown, but novelties in thi3 section 
are not numerous. One of the best is 
Heine dcs Blanches , which, though scarcely up to exhibition standard, 
will be mosr valuable for decorative purposes, as it is extremely free, the 
blooms very large, pure white, with broad substantial florets. This will 
undoubtedly become a great favourite. 
Madame Tezier .—This was received as a sport from Fair Maid of 
Guernsey, which it resembles in habit and foliage ; but the blooms 
are incurved, white tipped with purple, and likely to be an acquisition, 
though it has not yet been sufficiently proved. 
Japanese varieties are similarly largely grown to the preceding, such 
old favourites as Elaine being in strong force. There have been indeed 
about 30 1 ) blooms of this open, and a large proportion of them are all 
that could be desired ; substantial, full, and pure. Thunberg is also 
unusually fine, its grand golden blooms being very numerous. James 
Salter is similarly handsome, and in one case three plants in a large 
pot have had over sixty flowers, quite a display in themselves. Comte de 
Germiny, L’Incomparable, M. Ardene, and M. Audiguier are all in first- 
rate condition, especially the last, some blooms of which bid fair to rival 
Mr. Molyneux’s grand exhibits last year. Of the novelties the following 
demand special note. 
Rosea Svperla. —Rosy purple, with reflexed florets; large, and of 
good colour. 
Mary Major. —White, tinted rose, with strangely twisted florets ; fine 
handsome flower. 
Source d. Or. —One of last year’s novelties. Of a rich bronze-amber 
hue, with fluted florets ; of moderate size, but very free. 
Mons. Panclieron. —This is also one of last year’s varieties, and is 
regarded as an improvement upon Bouquet Fait. It is equally free, 
but with much larger, deeper, purplish lilac blooms. 
Mons. Juan Cruz d' Equileor. —A handsome variety, with flat florets ; 
rich maroon, gold on the under surface, which has a fine effect when a 
few florets are turned over. 
Angele, —A very distinct form of a lilac-purple tint, with flat twisted 
florets somewhat after the manner of James Salter, but forming a dense 
fall from which the narrow points of the florets protrude in a curious 
manner. 
Souvenir d'Amsterdam. —Remarkable for the distinct shade of colour¬ 
ing, quite a violet-crimson ; the florets are flat. 
Simon Dclaux. —Like all of the Delaux family this is very good, and 
reaches a great size, blooms having measured a foot in diameter. The 
colour is deep crimson with a yellowish shading. 
L’ Or du Rhin. —A sturdy variety, of free compact habit, and likely 
to be very useful for decorative purposes. The florets are rich yellow, 
fluted ; the blooms are from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, and are produced 
in great numbers 
Pompons form an important feature both in old and new varieties, 
Mr. Davis having paid especial attention to them. Of the old form 
the pretty fringed Marabout, the neat bronzy yellow Lizzie Holmes, the 
lilac Atila, the yellow La Vogue, Model of Perfection, and Madame 
Marthe, are excellent, while several additions to the greys are note¬ 
worthy. 
Purple Pompons. —A French variety with a good-sized full crimson- 
purple bloom, much like Comte de Moray, but the latter has flatter 
florets, apparently the only distinction, and that may not be a constant 
one. 
M. Micou. —Bloom neat in form, bronzy red, with a little yellow. 
Prince of Orange. —Fine orange-yellow ; an improvement on Aurore 
Boreale. 
Golden Circle. —A beautiful free and early yellow Pompon, which is 
much like a sport Mr. Davis obtained some years ago from St. Thais, 
but which was then lost. 
La Purete. —A free-flowering white variety ; blooms neat in form. 
The Anemone type is well represented, many large blooms being 
observable of Empress and Lady Marguerite ; but the most remarkable 
of all is a new Spanish variety. 
Fahias di Maderanaz. —This is lilac and white, tinted in its early 
stages with gold; but the great peculiarity is in the form, the centre 
florets being very narrow and twisted into a ball, while the lower ray 
florets are strongly reflexed, giving a curious and distinct appearance to 
the bloom. 
The early-flowering varieties are now past their best, but good 
blossoms are still to be seen on that useful white, Mrs. Cullingford ; the 
other good white varieties being Madame Desgranges and La Vibrge, the 
latter being preferred to Soeur Melanie, though as generally seen the last 
is much the better. 
Some discussion took place last season in reference to King of the 
Crimsons. Mr. Davis has two varieties similar, but quite distinct, one 
under the above name and the other called Crimson King. The latter is of 
more straggling habit than the other, the blooms being weaker and of a 
crimson-maroon tint, the other being a reddish maroon much less bright. 
The larger variety is thought by Mr. Davis to be the older variety, but 
nothing certain is known respecting its history. The other he received 
from Liverpool through Mr. Molyneux. Both have evidently been 
known for a considerable time, but the present King of Crimsons is 
much finer than the other, and is a really handsome bloom for exhibition 
or general culture.—L. Castle. 
PENLLERGARE, SWANSEA. 
This fine old country seat is the residence of J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq. 
It is situated five miles inland and northwards from the thriving town of 
Swansea, and there is no place in the neighbourhood more noted for 
the excellency of the garden and the beauties of its associations. Mr. 
Llewelyn is a real gardener himself, a gardener’s friend, and a true 
promoter of horticulture. He is, too, one of the most popular gentlemen 
in Wales, as the substantial hand and help he constantly extends to every 
good work which has the slightest tendency to elevate or amuse the 
community has long gained for him the warmest esteem of the whole of 
the principality, and the interest he takes in horticulture is of no local 
order. To many outside Wales he is also well known, and there i 
