November 20 , 1890. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
445 
had been a benefit, not only to the Society, but to the proprietors of 
the important establishment in which they had met. (Hear, hear.) It 
was only right that it should be so because of the generous manner in 
which the manaeement had met the Chrysanthemum Society. (Hear, 
hear.) The subject was one that he could dwell on at considerable 
length as he was very fond of flowers. He could not imagine anything 
more beautiful than the snow white Avalanche or the lovely Stanstead 
White, and it was most pleasing to know that in their efforts to cul¬ 
tivate this beautiful flower they had the sympathy and support of their 
fellow countrymen in all parts of the world. (Cheers.) In conclusion 
he thanked them for giving him the opportunity of occupying that 
proud position that evening, and he felt sure that though the flowers 
they had been exhibiting were fading, the memories of the hundredth 
anniversary of the introduction of the flower into this country would 
be long before they faded from their recollection. (Cheers.) 
Mr. Shirley Hibberd then proposed the toast, “ To the eternal 
glory of the golden flower that claims and obtains the constant homage 
and service of the National Chrysanthemum Society.” He said it was 
his duty to recommend to their favourable consideration the flower that 
had brought them together that night. He was quite incapable of 
doing so, and it seemed to him the wiser course to leave the flower to 
commend itself—(cheers) —for if they were not all of one mind the per¬ 
suasion of the flower would heal their differences. (Cheers.) It seemed 
to him, however, that it was impossible that they could be otherwise 
than of one mind on that happy occasion. (Hear, hear.) The Chrys¬ 
anthemum had been cultivated in China for more than 3000 years, pro¬ 
bably 5000 years, and had been with us in England 100 years. He 
asked them to consider, in all that time, how much strength of genera¬ 
tions of men had been bestowed on that beautiful object—their time, 
their means, their patience, and their thoughts by day and by night— 
and yet they had never obtained from it a loaf of bread or a medicine. 
It almost approached the impossible to obtain a walking stick from the 
Chrysanthemum. He had seen that done, but the stick was of 
no use. (Laughter.) And that applied to flowers in general. Our 
Roses, Dahlias, Carnations —they ministered in no way to our material 
necessities, but they were spiritual food for the soul of man, and 
sustained him amidst his trials. (Hear, hear.) Flowers were symbols. 
Roses were the symbol of strife in the dark days of English history : 
the Lily was associated with the history of France ; then the simple 
Primrose reminded them of the sudden removal from among them of 
a great genius at a time when his country needed his wise guidance. 
But the Chrysanthemum was emblematic of all that was pleasant. It 
came at a time of the year when the world was preparing for the 
Christmas festivities. It was essentially a joyous flower, it was suitable 
for the palace, and it was suitable for the cottage. (Hear, hear.) Our 
flowers commemorated not only philosophers, poets, divines, scholars, 
but men who were not statesmen and philosophers, but only plain, 
good, simple English florists, who loved their flowers and laboured 
for them. (Hear, hear.) The catalogue of their Society brought to 
his mind memories—recalled the faces of George Taylor, Samuel Broom, 
John Salter, Robert Fortune, and Wm. Holmes—(cheers)—and it was the 
flower that enabled him to know the nature of their fine humanity. 
(Cheers.) He sometimes imagined that when John Keats sat down to 
write his sweetly dreaming poem, “Endymion,” he must have had 
before him the Chrysanthemum when he penned the line, 
“ A thing of beauty and a joy for ever.” 
(Hear, hear.) He trusted if there was anything more to be said for 
the flower they would let it speak for itself, and he would ask them to 
drink to “ The eternal glory of the golden flower. May the Chrysanthe¬ 
mum live and flourish for ever.” (Loud cheers.) 
Major L. H. ISAACS, M.P., proposed “ The President of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society.” He said there were many things in which 
Lord Brooke claimed their gratitude. There were many things about 
which, of course, he could not speak, but he thought he might safely say 
that Lord Brooke had shown a great desire, as President of the Society, 
to undertake his duties in an excellent and careful way. (Cheers.) 
Without further words he would ask them to drink the health of their 
President and Chairman. (Cheers.) 
The President, in acknowledging the toast, said that among 
Englishmen no society of mark ever got on well without its dinner, and 
their Society was one of mark, as they would all admit. (Hear, hear.) 
There were, however, many things which would come across their 
minds. There was their dear friend Mr. Holmes, who was so recently 
Secretary of the Show, and who took such a deep interest in the Society. 
(Hear, hear.) On going round the Exhibition there were many things 
to bring to the mind touching recollections of Mr. Holmes, and he had 
on the present occasion very great pleasure in bearing testimony to the 
very good work which he did for the Society. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. E. C. Jukes proposed “ The Lady Patronesses and Vice-Presi¬ 
dents,” and Sir Guyer Hunter, M.P., in responding said he had that day 
had the pleasure of listening to two interesting papers read by members 
of the Society. When going round that magnificent display of Chrys¬ 
anthemums he had wondered how it had all been brought to such 
perfection (hear, hear) ; but those papers had explained the matter to 
him. It was simply by attention to details—a course which always 
ensured success. If the Chrysanthemum had attained such perfection 
at its first centenary, what might it not be at its second ] (Hear, 
hear ) 
Mr. C. II. Payne proposed “ The Affiliated and Kindred Societies.” 
Mrs. Marian Thrower (Tasmania), on rising to respond, was 
received with loud cheering. She said she would carry away with her 
pleasant recollections of that evening and of the Exhibition. She was 
very glad that ladies were present, and hoped that the custom would be 
continued. (Hear, hear.) Although they in the Colony could never 
hope to emulate the old country in the matter of flowers, yet she thought 
they would he able to imitate us at a very humble distance. (Hear, 
hear.) Mr. D. P. Laird (representing Scotland) also responded. 
Sir W. De Souza (L.C.C.) proposed “the Royal Aquarium ar.d 
Summer and Winter Garden Society.” He said he was present to 
testify—and he was sure they would all join with him in so doing—to 
the usefulness of that establishment, not only for amusements, but for 
shows like the present one and for mental culture. (Hear, hear.) 
Captain Molesworth responded. 
Mr. Ballantine proposed “ The Exhibitors and Judges.” He said 
the Committee of the Society did their utmost, at this Centenary 
Festival, to lay their net carefully to catch all the fish they could. They 
prepared an elaborate schedule, and they had the gratification of know¬ 
ing that the exhibitors took the bait, and came in shoals to the 
Centenary Festival. (Laughter and Cheers.) The character of the exhibits 
reflected credit, not only upon them, but upon the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society—(hear, hear)—and in no part of England, in his opinion, 
had such a Show ever been held. (Cheers.) This was due to the noble 
way in which the exhibitors had come forward, not only to support the 
Society, but to pay a tribute of respect to one who had been removed 
from them. (Hear, hear.) It was Mr. Holmes’ aim to make this 
festival such a success as would be worthy of the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society to which he had devoted the best years of his life, and 
it would have been a pride to him to have seen the exhibits last 
Tuesday. (Hear, hear.) It was an extraordinary thing to say in con¬ 
nection with a show of such magnitude, but they had no protest against the 
awards of the Judges. (Cheers.) He believed such a thing was almost 
unprecedented, and it spoke well for the wisdom and tact displayed by 
the Judges, that even the exhibitors who had not been successful had 
not been able to find fault with the awards which had been made. 
(Hear, hear.) He would couple with the toast the names of Mr. John 
Laing and Mr. H. Turner of Slough, to both of whom the best thanks 
of the Society were due. (Cheers.) 
Mr. John Laing, in responding, said the exhibitors deserved great 
praise for the way they came forward, and he incidentally mentioned 
that thirty-five years ago Chrysanthemums were well grown in Scotland, 
blooms of the Queen of England being 6 inches in diameter. 
Mr. II. Turner, in also acknowledging the toast, said the task. of 
the Judges was not a sinecure. In most of the classes the competition 
was very close and keen, and the number of stands in some of the 
larger classes compelled the Judges to walk up and down the tables 
many times until they must have accomplished miles of walking before 
they had finished their task. The class for the Centennial prize, of 
twenty-four Japanese and twenty-four incurved had eighteen entries, 
and the class for twenty-four Japanese had sixteen entries. It was a 
pleasure for the Judges to have such grand specimens of this noble 
flower placed before them, and he and his brother Judges used their 
best endeavours to award their judgments to the most meritorious 
exhibits. 
Mr. H. Jay t proposed “ The Officers of the Society.” Mr. Ballan¬ 
tine said although the duties of the Society’s officials had been no 
sinecure, they had been amply rewarded by the results achieved. He 
expressed the opinion that it was to the tact and judgment of Mr. 
Holmes, “ the Prince of Secretaries,” that in a great measure the success 
of that festival was due. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. J. R. Starling also replied, and, as Treasurer of the Society, 
suggested that they should subscribe to a fund, part of which is to go to 
the assisting the technical education of the eldest son of the late Mr. 
Holmes. There were many other officers of the Society worthy of reward, 
but he felt that that evening had been marked to a certain extent by 
the loss of an officer they could never replace. (Hear.) 
Mr. Richard Dean (the Secretary) proposed “ The Horticultural 
Press.” He said that the life of institutions of that kind depended very 
largely upon the publicity given to them, and with regard to the Cen¬ 
tenary he thought he might safely say that the Press generally had done 
them full justice. 
Mr. George Gordon responded, and humorously remarked that if 
the horticultural press increased at the same rate as it had done during 
the last fifty years, by the second centenary of the Chrysanthemum he 
should think every type of that flower would have its own special 
paper. (Laughter). 
This concluded the toast list, and before the company separated the 
President announced that the proprietors of the Aquarium had premised 
to give a benefit for the “ Holmes Fund,” and he expressed the hope 
that they would all follow so good an example. (Cheers). 
During the evening some excellent instrumental and vocal music 
was given, under the direction of Mr. Richard Mackway, and -dr. 1. 
Valentine Goddard made a faultless toastmaster. 
HELENIUMS. 
Sometimes we meet with some of our neglected bordeu flowers 
quite unexpectedly, and on the question being asked, “ W hat have 
you here ?” a common reply is, “ Oh, it is an old plant we take no 
notice of. We don’t care about such plants here.” But these 
