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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 6, 1890. 
. At the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Floral Com¬ 
mittee on October 28th, and of the similar officials of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society on the next day, October 29th, several very 
promising novelties were shown, and as nearly twelve at the two places 
were found worthy of certificates some idea can be formed that the 
general merits were above the average. Numerous as are the varieties 
now in cultivation it is evident that we can still expect useful and 
handsome additions from the Continent, from America, and from our 
own raisers. The best of those shown were the undermentioned. 
Gloire de Rochek. —For this handsome Japanese variety a first- 
class certificate was unanimously awarded, and the general opinion 
seemed to be that it would take a place amongst the best novelties of 
the year. It was shown by Mr. C. Gibson, gardener to J. Wormald, 
Esq , Morden Park, Mitcham, and concerning it there is a rather in¬ 
teresting history. Mr. Wormald for some years past has, on account of 
ill health, spent the winters with his family in Algiers, and has there 
indulged in what may be termed horticultural recreation under better 
Climatic conditions than prevail at Mitcham. Chrysanthemum cuttings 
and plants have at various times been sent out to him and his friends 
there, and most of the best varieties in cultivation here have thus been 
despatched. A year or two since young plants of a selection of 
Japanese were, however, specially sent over, with the object of secur¬ 
ing seed. One of Mr. Wormald’s friends has succeeded in raising a large 
number of seedlings, but apparently without any special crossing, or 
even without preserving the names of the parent plants. Some of the 
more distinct were sent from Algiers to Morden Park to see what 
characters they would develop under Mr. Gibson’s care, and up to the 
present “ Gloire de Rocher,” the name of which indicates the place 
where it was raised, is by far the best. 
I saw this soon after the bud showed its colour, and again later on 
when it was much more advanced. Then it was somewhat in the style 
of Mrs. Falconer Jameson, but with more substance in the florets, and 
the colour was an improved Val d’Andorre, very rich and telling. A 
few days later it had completely altered in character—the florets instead 
ot spreading flat had straightened and developed until the bloom was 
quite globular in form, of considerable size, the colour still very bright, 
and the florets showing their reverse surface of a golden bronze tint’. 
Hie illustration (fig. 51) was prepared from one of the blooms shown, 
and it was stated after the meeting that the stock had passed into the 
hands of Mr. N. Davis. 
It is surprising that our British nurserymen, who make a speciality 
of Chrysanthemums, have not made a more general system of engaging 
agents in suitable places to raise seedlings for them on some definite 
principle instead of having to depend almost exclusively upon con¬ 
tinental and American growers. Even where seed has been sown here it 
is strange what a roundabout way our people have of procuring it. For 
instance, I Inow one nurseryman here who has been successful in 
obtaining several novelties of undoubted merit, yet who obtains all the 
seed from a German firm, who again has to procure it from growers in 
the South of I ranee, Italy, or Algiers. Now that such good prices are 
secured for new Chrysanthemums possessing distinct characters an 
investment of this kind might be expected to find a fair return on the 
outlay, much more, indeed, than when the demand was limited to a 
comparatively few specialists. 
Madame Gayrat.— Perhaps next to the variety just described the 
one here noted attracted most attention at the National Society’s meet¬ 
ing, and especially because new incurved varieties are so seldom brought 
out, It is a medium sized bloom, very neat, clean, well built, and with 
florets of good substance ; white, or pearly blush, tipped with pink. It 
is much in the style of the seldom seen variety Aim^e Ferriere, from 
is said to be a seedling, and some expressed doubts as to 
whether it would be found distinct enough for exhibition purposes. In 
the general opinion, however, it was superior to the parent in all points, 
f 6 a * ew the suggestion that it was a small Jeanne d’Arc. 
It found sufficient favour to gain a certificate by a good majority of 
votes, and will no doubt be tried by many next season. Mr. Robert 
Owen was the exhibitor. I have seldom seen a first rate bloom of 
Aimee Fernere, but a few days after the meeting I saw one that might 
be considered an excellent type of the small flowered incurved which so 
many wish to encourage. 
Mrs. Irving Clarice. —This is a Japanese of American origin sent 
out by Craig last year, and found its way here, but I do not remember 
seeing it shown anywhere until now. The blooms are large and of good 
substance, with rather narrow curled florets of a pale but clear and 
pleasing flesh pink colour, the glossy surface of the florets adding to its 
appearance. A certificate was awarded to Mr. Owen for this variety, 
which has been included in the N.C.S. list of select Japanese for exhi- 
bition, and merits the attention of those in search of novelties worth 
adding to present collections. 
Certificates were also awarded for the following, which will be 
referred to at length another time. William Laing (Owen), Japanese 
reflexed, rosy salmon ; Alberic Lunden (Owen), Japanese reflexed, rich 
magenta, very deep colour ; Duchess of Westminster (Owen), Japanese 
Anemone, bronze centre, blush rosy florets ; Viviand Morel (Laing), 
Japanese, rose and white striped, large and handsome, certificated 
N.C.S. and R.H.S.; Mdlle. Marie Hoste (Laing), a Japanese, white 
streaked pale purple, very distinct; William Neville (Cannell), reflexed, 
average size and good form, deep orange.— Lewis Castle. 
The National Chrysanthemum Society. 
The following circular and programme respecting the Centenary 
Festival at the Royal Aquarium, November 11th, 12th, 13th, and lfth 
next, has just been issued by the Hon. Secretary (pro. tem.') :—I am 
desired by the Committee to remind you that the Great National 
Centenary Festival will take place as above, and I shall esteem it a 
great favour if you will make this important occasion known as widely 
as possible to all lovers of flowers in your neighbourhood. It is an 
occasion when all admirers of the Chrysanthemum should cordially 
unite to make the celebration worthy of the National Society. Earnest 
attention is called to the following particulars The Committee appeal 
to all supporters of the Society to assist in making the Exhibition the 
most extensive and important ever held, by contributing exhibits, and 
especially specimen plants, so that an imposing and thoroughly repre¬ 
sentative display may be made ; also to be willing to leave their 
plants on view the entire four days the Exhibition is open to the public. 
The Superintendent is empowered to pay a certain proportion of the 
cartage expenses. The work of judging will commence at eleven o’clock, 
when the hall will be cleared, and all exhibits must be staged ready for 
the Judges by that hour. To facilitate staging, a number of stewards 
are appointed to direct exhibitors in doing so. 
The opening ceremonial will take place at 1 P.M., when Lord Brooke, 
M.P., President of the Society, and Lady Brooke will be present. After 
an inspection of the Exhibition, an address will be presented to Lady 
Brooke, and her ladyship will declare the Exhibition open. Conferences 
on the Chrysanthemum will take place on Tuesday, the 11th, and 
Thursday, the 13th ; at 6 p M. on the 13th, a grand banquet will take 
place in St. Stephens’ Hall, in lieu of the annual dinner, Lord 
Brooke, M.P., the President, in the chair. On this occasion ladies will 
be present. Applications for tickets, price 5s., accompanied by a 
remittance, must be made to the Hon. Secretary, not later than the 
evening of Monday, November 10th. 
Programme. —Tuesday, November 11th. The Exhibition will be 
arranged ready for Judges by 11 A.M. The Floral Committee will meet 
at 12.30 P.M. The opening ceremonial will commence at one o’clock. 
The President, Lord Brooke, M.P., and Lady Brooke will be met at the 
entrance by the Reception Committee and the invited guests, and con¬ 
ducted round the Exhibition. An address will be presented to Lady 
Brooke, anl the Exhibition formerly declared open to the public. At 
6 P.M. a Conference meeting wi 1 be held in the iron room under the 
presidency of Sir Edwin Saunders, F.R.C.S., V.P., and papers will be 
read by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, F.R.H.S., “ On the Origin of the Florist’s 
Chrysanthemum by Mrs. Marian Thrower, representative of the 
Northern Tasmanian Horticultural Society, “ On Chrysanthemums in 
Tasmania and by Mr. G. T. Haite, F.L.S., “ The Chrysanthemum in 
Art.” Wednesday, November 12th, will be devoted to an inspection of 
the Show, verifying awards, &c. 
On Thursday, November 13th, a conference will be held in the iron 
room at 2.30 P.M., Sir Guyer Hunter, M.P., Vice-President, in the 
chair, when papers will be read by Mr. Briscoe-Ironside “ On Experi¬ 
ments in Chrysanthemum Culture,” and by Mr. C. Gibson “ On Chrys¬ 
anthemums for Exhibition.” At 6 P.M. prompt a grand banquet will 
take place in St. Stephen’s Hall, Lord Brooke, M.P., President, in the 
chair, supported by representatives from foreign and colonial affiliated 
societies and others. Private entrance from Broad Sanctuary. 
On Friday, November 14th, St. Stephen’s Hall will be arranged as 
a lounge, so as to afford opportunity for conversation. At 4 P.M. an 
informal meeting will be held with the object of affording opportunity 
for suggestions as to the future operations of the Society. The Exhibi¬ 
tion will close at 9 p.m. 
The National Society’s Schedule. 
To the National Chrysanthemum Society is due the honour of offering 
for competition the largest amount of prizes for one class, and a 
thoroughly comprehensive schedule of prizes has been prepared and 
issued, if I except one thing. Single Chrysanthemums have no pre¬ 
vision made for them, although they are invited in a honorary manner. 
Out of the fifty-four classes contained in the schedule, one thinks there 
might have been found room for at least one class for this very interest¬ 
ing section. To some persons single Chrysanthemums have a charm 
which no other kind supplants. I fancy that those persons who are 
responsible for the compiling of the schedule have never seen these 
blooms in the same condition as they are always staged at Portsmouth 
for instance, where they are one of the features of the Show, or they 
would I think find room for them, If they are wishful to encourage the 
growth of this section, they ought to know full well that the simplest, 
most rapid, and effective manner of gaining this end is to offer sub¬ 
stantial, or even a small recognition, for the trouble expended in obtain¬ 
ing the necessary effect. Some may think perhaps that as I have thus 
written at some length upon this omission of an otherwise excellent 
schedule, that I am doing so in a carping spirit. Such is not the case. 
I know full well the value of single Chrysanthemums in a decorative 
point of view, my object being to encourage their extended growth in. 
