376 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 30, 1890. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. 
The William Holmes’ Memoeial Fund. 
A meeting of the Committee appointed to deal with the above fund 
was held in the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on October 2.1rd, 
Sir Guyer Hunter, M.P., in the chair ; when after consideration of the 
numerous suggestions as to the form the memorial should assume, the 
following resolution was unanimously adopted: —“ That a portion of 
the fund raised be set aside for assisting the technical education in 
landscape gardening of the late Mr. W. Holmes’ eldest son, and that 
the remainder be awarded as prizes or medals at the exhibitions of the 
National Chrysanthemum Society, and at those of affiliated societies.” 
Sir Guyer Hunter was appointed Chairman, and Mr. R. Ballantine 
Treasurer, with Mr. Lewis Castle, Hotham House, Merton, Surrey, as 
Honorary Secretary, to whom all subscriptions and communications 
should be addressed. Circulars and subscription foims will shortly be 
issued to all members of the National Chrysanthemum Society, the 
affiliated societies, friends of the late Mr. Holmes, and everyone who 
is desirous of helping in a good cause. 
Amongst the Chrysanthemums. 
For a dozen years or more I have made annual tours amongst all 
the best Chrysanthemum collections in the home counties and e'sewhere, 
and it has become one of the most pleasant tasks of the year to visit old 
friends, compare the present condition of the plants with the past, to 
note the advance of younger growers, and to observe the respective 
merits of the various novelties as they appear. These excursions are 
usually performed a week or two before the rush of the shows commences, 
a time that most who are interested in Chrysanthemums select for 
similar inspections. All are anxious to know the prospects of the 
.season, and intending rival competitors make frequent journeys to each 
other’s collections with a mutual friendliness that is most commendable. 
Certainly, notwithstanding the keen competition now prevailing, there 
is less ill-natured jealousy in the ranks of Chrysanthemum growers than 
amongst some other groups of florists. The best growers and most suc¬ 
cessful exhibitors willingly relate their experiences and their failures 
to their rivals, and it is this generous feeling which has so greatly 
assisted in elevating the tone of Chrysanthemum societies and shows. 
There are, of course, instances to the contrary, but they are exceedingly 
rare, and I have no hesitation in asserting, from an intimate and 
extensive knowledge of the men so engaged and the modes adopted, that 
in strict honesty of competition the Chrysanthemum exhibitors will bear 
most favourable comparison with any horticultural or other shows. 
Around the metropolis .this year the plants are looking extremely 
promising, and not, perhaps, quite so early as in some previous seasons. 
Mr. Gibson, at Morden Park Gardens, has an excellent collection, and 
is strong both in Japanese and incurved, all the blooms looking clean 
and developing freely. Mr. Richings, The Brandries Gardens, Beddington, 
is likely to do himself substantial credit, for his blooms are of excellent 
quality, and the plants well grown. At the residence of Philip Crowley, 
Esq., Waddon. House, Croydon, his gardener (Mr. King) has a fine 
houseful of plant’s, that will not. however, be at their best for a week or 
two yet. At Teddipgton Mr. W. Furze has ^ie principal collection, but 
there are several others in the neighbourhood, also at Twickenham, 
concerning which something will be said later on. At Isleworth too 
Mr. Pears is making a speciality of the Chrysanthemum, and good 
results may be expected. The trade collections of Messrs. Laing & Sons, 
A eitch & Sons, N. Davis, G. Stevens, J. Carter & Co., R. Owen, W. Jones, 
and others will also attract many visitors, and some general notes 
respecting these and many others must be reserved for next week. It 
must suffice for the present to say that all the growers about London are 
hopefully expecting a capital season, notwithstanding ‘‘the damping,” 
which is already beginning its disastrous work.— L. Castle. 
Chrysanthemums Around Liverpool. 
The season has arrived when most of our principal growers around 
Liverpool are watchiDg with great eagerness the expansion of their 
blooms. I question if there , is any part of England where the Chrys¬ 
anthemum is more highly prized than it is around Liverpool, and it 
matters not where you go, in places large or small, you always find a 
certain amount of prominence given to the queen of winter. And 
rightly so, for what could we get at this dull season of the year to give 
us the wealth of b oom and infinite variety of colour ? Liverpool 
growers have made their mark, and such men as Tunnington, Lindsay, 
h aulkner, Jellicoe, Fox, Roberts, and Mease, when with us, have to a 
great extent been pioneers in the movement which had for its object 
the higher cultivation of the Chrysanthemum. We have, in addition 
to those I have mentioned, many more equally as good, and on all sides 
energetic men are rising up who wid in a short time be able to hold 
their own against all comers. The number of growers is increasing, and 
the general question at the present time is, “ How are your blooms 1 ” 
I think the year will be hard to remember when we have ever had a 
better promise of bloom than at the present. On every hand the one 
opinion is that they are grand. In many cases the plants are dwarfer 
than usual, the foliage is good, and mildew has not made its appearance 
to any great extent; but I am afraid the dense fogs we experienced 
during the early part of last week must have wrought some havoc, 
but as yet not many complaints have reached me. I have been privi¬ 
leged during the last few days to see some of the collections here, and 
as the area is so extended it is a difficult matter to see all. I am con¬ 
scious chat there are many collections grown where, if the gardeners 
were allowed to exhibit, their record would be excellent. I have also 
seen some of the newer varieties, which promise to be acquisitions ; but 
as this is only a preliminary note I shall reserve my notes on collections 
I have seen and newer varieties for a future issue.—R. P. R. 
The Centenary and the Affiliated Societies. 
The Centenary festival to be held at Westminster on November 11th 
seems to me an opportunity which should be made the most of for 
further strengthening that good feeling now existing amongst the 
various societies. The provincial societies, as a rule, have much 
respect and admiration for the N.C.S., mainly on account of its spirited 
policy and the able manner in which its business is conducted. The 
continued increase in the number of affiliated societies and the success- 
of the provincial shows are sufficient proofs of this, and there cau be 
little doubt that so long as the popularity of the Chrysanthemum 
remains as strong as at present, and the management of the N.C.S. con¬ 
tinues to be efficient, that success will continue. 
What, then, I think now is required is that Centenary meetings- 
should be rendered, as far as possible, a “ gathering of the clans,” or, 
in ocher words, a bringing together of the principal officials and Chrys¬ 
anthemum growers from each affiliated society to take part in the 
celebration, and to meet together at a grand conversazione or conference,, 
to be, if possible, presided over by the esteemed noble President of the 
N.C.S., supported by all its leading officials. Towards effecting this I 
would suggest that the Committee of the N.C.S. take into consideration, 
firstly, the granting of a free pass for the exhibition and meetings to 
all fully accredited visitors from affiliated Societies; secondly, that the- 
various railway companies be approached from the N.C.S. with the 
object of obtaining cheap fares to and from the exhibition ; and thirdly, 
that something be done towards providing good and cheap lodgings, 
especially for such as are strangers in the metropolis, and who will 
wish to stay at least one night. Other matters there would be also to 
be considered which would occur to the Committee, such as arranging 
for sending a circular letter to each affiliated society stating what was 
thus being done, and inviting delegates from each such Society. I am 
of opinion such would meet with a hearty response, and would bring, 
ab mt such a meeting together of Chrysanthemum specialists as would 
most effectually serve to celebrate the Centenary, also causing pleasant 
recollections for many years to come. 
The Affiliated Societies’ Class. 
The following suggestions for the future working of what is known 
as “ The Affiliated Societies’ Class ” at the November shows of the 
N.C.S. may be worthy of consideration. This very commendable class- 
(which had its origin in the fertile brain of the late respected Hon Sec., 
Mr. Wm. Holmes), is strongly commended by every one with whom I 
have conversed upon the subject. As at present it is but in its infancy, 
and beiog so entirely novel in character, it is scarcely surprising that 
it has not as yet proved the unqualified success its energetic promoter 
would wish to see it. To attain such success I believe the opinions and 
feelings of provincial growers and affiliated societies upon the subject 
requires to be obtained, and, as far as may be practicable, their ideas- 
met. The Journal of Horticulture , circulating as it does amongst all 
the leading growers throughout the kingdom, is an excellent medium 
for bringing before them any new ideas upon the subject. 
I would then suggest to the Committee of the N.C.S. that in the- 
first place a circular letter be sent to each affiliated society, asking for 
opinions and suggestions, such, when received, to be fully considered 
by the Committee of the N.C.S. I am of opinion that the principal 
show of the N.C.S. should be of a character entirely distinct from any 
htld by its affiliated societies, also that it should, as far as possible, 
represent the combined strength of such societies, and that to this snd 
the class under consideration be made the most important one in the 
schedule. 
One of the main causes which goes to prevent societies at a consider¬ 
able distance from London sending exhibits and representatives to 
compete in this class is the expense to be incurred, and the doubts as to 
being recouped in such by prize money. I would suggest that none be 
offered, but that in lieu thereof the railway, and such other unavoidable 
expenses of each exhibitor as can be readily met, be paid by the N.C.S. 
The challenge shield might still continue to be the principal prize 
competed for, but that in addition there be at least three certificates, 
first, second, and third prizes, each to be well framed before presentation, 
in a manner suitable for permanent hanging in the meeting room of the 
society winning it. The class also might be a little extended, in that a 
limited number of reflexed and Anemone flowers might be admitted, 
which would give to it really more of a representative appearance and 
character than at present,—W. K. W. 
Fragrant Chrysanthemums.— Miss Davis. 
In a house which I have filled with the bes<" varieties of October 
flowering Chrysanthemums, grown for stock purposes and for supplying 
cut flowers in quantity, and which are now a dense mass of bloom, many 
visitors have remarked the agreeable perfume, adding that they were not 
before aware that Chrysanthemums were fragrant. On making exami¬ 
nation this afternoon as to which amongst the numerous varieties gave 
off this pleasant odour, I found it to be the new pink sport from Mrs. 
Cullingford, Miss Davis, which is with me most distinctly Violet- 
scented. Such is not the case with the parent variety, nor indeed with 
any of the other varieties now in flower in the same house. Irre¬ 
spective of its sweet perfume, Miss Davis is a valuable and beautiful 
variety, standing out amongst the others as one of the most distinct, 
pleasing, and effective. The flower is the exact shape of Mrs. 
Cullingford, and a most pleasing shade of pink. 
