388 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARBLEER. 
[ October 14, 1886. 
In reference to the few varieties selected from the catalogue for 
criticism, I would like to express my opinion on them for what it may 
he worth to readers generally. First, from what I have seen of Mdlle. 
M. Tezier it is not a true type of a reflexed flower. Out of the about 
1000 varieties of Japanese Chrysanthemums now in cultivation no doubt 
Mr. MolyDeux could select a large number that would serve to make up 
a board of reflexed Chrysanthemums. More than half of these so-called 
Japanese varieties are nothing more than bad reflexed, or what I call 
cross-breds, commonly called hybrids for convenience. The variety under 
notice has not so much claim as many others to be called a reflexed, it 
having a pointed petal, the principal bad feature of a reflexed flower, 
and I consider the Committee would have been going out of their way 
to have selected this particular variety simply because it had been shown 
in one instance. Most of the Journal readers will remember the argument 
for and against Cullingfordi last season. Here we had a far better type 
of a reflexed flower, and yet we had six on one side and half a dozen on 
the other as to which it should be, so that we need to be cautious. Still 
the mere fact of its being plaeed as a Japanese does not prevent its being 
shown in either section subject to the judges’ approval. 
Next as to Minr>ie Chate. I think our correspondent has mie-read 
the classification of large and Hybrid Anemones. In no single instance 
is the word Japanese Anemone used. I for one, and I think it is the very 
general opinion, that Minnie Chile is not a true type of the old-fashioned 
show Anemone, but a cross-bred, and as before pointed out, the term is 
simply used for convenience in attempting to divide and keep separate 
the ordinary show Anemones from the various cross-breeds. This does 
not make Minnie Chate a Japanese Anemone. The question is, How many 
of these so-called Japanese are there ? In reality, 1 think only one, and I 
ask, Is it advisable to confuse the whole by calling them what they are 
not 1 I think it is far more advisable to drop the term Japanese 
Anemone and class them all as hybrids. We then get an interesting 
section of various types without confusion, otherwise we shall very soon 
have to re-classify them under three or four heads. 
Lastly, in respect to Emperor. Here is inconsistency ; for Minnie 
Chate, which is decidedly a cross-bred, is to be shifted into the show class, 
whereas Emperor, which for years has been recognised as a good show 
variety, is to be turned out. I do not know who was responsible for the 
disqualification of Emperor at the Crystal Palace, but in my opinion it 
was a decided blunder. The Judges, no doubt, knew very little of what 
they were judging, and went by appearances. Had they been experienced 
growers of this class, as well as judges, and knew the flowers, they would 
have known that the style in which Emperor was shown was merely a 
freak, and that the variety when in proper character is a good show 
flower, and instead of going to such an extreme measure, they would 
simply have judged the bloom by so many points less, as being a bloom 
out of character. Is the National Chrysanthemum Society to be guided 
by the opinions of individual judges or growers, or are they to act in 
accordance with the opinions of the general body of growers ? Our 
correspondent “ Chrysanthemum ” seems to desire the former. 
I have written rather at length, not so much to defend the decisions 
of the Committee appointed to prepare the catalogue, but to try and 
show that before a really satisfactory work can be brought out there 
must be more united action among growers. Why cannot we have a 
convention to hold a series of meetings during the coming season under 
the auspices of the National Society, so that all growers can come and 
discuss the various questions that need settling ?—N. DAVIS, CambertveL 
Chrysanthemum Madame Desgrange. —Summer-flowering Chrys-' 
anthemums will always be associated in my mind with the pleasant com¬ 
panionship of a member of your staff, as in his company I first saw the 
best of our yellow-flowering varieties with Mr. David Thomson at Drum- 
lanrig, and it was also with the gentleman in question I first saw Madame 
Desgrange with Mr. Graham at Hampton Court. In both cases I was 
assured that they were the most valuable flowers imaginable, which 
induced me to invest in some plants, and I can now, after a trial of four 
or five years, fully confirm all your representative told me. Many of them 
are simply first-rate, but amongst all I am exceedingly partial to Madame 
Desgrange. White-flowering plants in the flower garden are more scarce 
than yellow, and this Chrysanthemum comes in as a white flower of the 
first order. It is a very strong, robust grower. It attains a height of 
from 18 inches to 24 inches. Its foliage is deep green and luxuriant, and 
the flowers are produced in such profusion that a row of it resembles a 
snowdrift. The flowers are from 2 inches to 3 inches across, and they are 
produced in huge masses. It stands dry weather uncommonly well, and 
if the blossoms chance to be injured by rain a few days’ sunshine brings 
fresh ones out in large quantities. It begins flowering with me in June or 
early in July, and never ceases until cut down by frost, and the flowers 
when cut are very useful for all kinds of decorations. It is a variety 
which can be very strongly recommended to those having anything to 
do with the decoration of churches or any other place where chaste flowers 
are required by the armful.—J. Muir, Margam. 
Belle Paule—Classification of Varieties. —Many persons 
have experienced the same trouble with Belle Paule this season that 
Chrysanthemum ” has, and it would appear somewhat habitual in this 
variety to not set its buds properly. My opinion as to its chief cause is 
that during the middle and latter part of August when the buds were 
forming the weather was very hot, consequently the wood ripened too 
quickly, thus preventing the free swelling of the buds. This would be 
aggravated if the plants suffered a check in any way through lack of 
water at the roots or overhead during that period, There is more harm 
done to Chrysanthemums by allowing them to get dry at the roots just 
once than many persons imagine. Owing to there being such a mass of 
roots contained in the soil, which is generally secured firmly in the pots, 
it often takes several days before the once dry ball is thoroughly soaked, 
therefore some damage must necessarily take place, though the evil 
does not always show itself at once. Now that a slight weakness in 
this grand variety has developed itself growers should slightly increase 
the number of plants, as it often happens that it is not want of space 
during the summer which is felt, but it is during the time for housing the 
plants that this trouble is experienced by many, even of the largest 
growers. There is a great similarity in its growth to that of Fair Maid of 
Guernsey both in stems and leaves. It is a great favourite and deservedly 
so, its colour is so acceptable and quite distinct from any other variety ; 
its form is also of the best. Another good reason of its popularity is the 
free manner in which it produces cuttings. 
I consider Mdlle. Madeleine Tezier as one of the best varieties of 
reflexed flowers, and to that section I think it properly belongs. At one 
time it was thought to be synonymous with Jeanne d’Arc, but now that 
these are proved to be distinct the former variety must be classed as a 
reflexed, otherwise it will soon be lost to the exhibitions, as it possesses 
nothing to entice growers to stage it amongst the Japanese sorts—at least, 
if winning prizes is the object of the exhibitor. Minnie Chate belongs 
to the large-flowered Anemone section, and so does Emperor when pre¬ 
sented in its proper character, and this ought to guide somewhat in 
classifying the varieties. As one of the judges who disqualified the 
“ supposed” flower of Emperor at the Crystal Palace Show last year, I 
may say that the bloom was not considered “ true,” being so utterly unlike 
that variety that it would not have been right to admit it, because the 
general public look to exhibitions to see the correct varieties in their true 
character; if this cannot be obtained, public shows lose much of their 
interest through their being misleading. Mistakes will sometimes occur 
I am well aware, but when all due care is taken these inaccuracies are 
seldom found. For the information of “ Chrysanthemum,” I may say 
that it is my intentic n to publish the articles which I have contributed to 
the Journal on the Chrysanthemum in the form of a book, and I am 
pleased to find they arc considered valuable by him.—E. Molyneux. 
Properties of Blooms.— I am obliged to Mr. C. Orchard for his 
appreciative remarks on page 325, and still more so for pointing out what 
he regards as an omission of some moment from my observations on 
judging—namely, “smoothness” of florets as essential to a superior bloom. 
It is obvious that high finish is incompatible with roughness, and this was 
clearly pointed out as a fault; and as roughness is the antithesis of 
smoothnefs the latter was admitted as essential; further, it is distinctly 
stated in Mr. Newton’s definitions of a good bloom (page 2C8) which I 
adopted, that it must be “smooth.” Unquestionably judges take the 
defect of roughness and the merit of smoothness of floret into considera¬ 
tion when engaged in their duties. Still, as the most practical way in 
which I can express approval of Mr. Orchard’s excellent motive, the word 
suggested has been incorporated in the article referred to, and will appear 
in Mr. Molyneux’s book.—J. Wright. 
Chrysanthemum Belle Paule. —In reading a note by “ Chrys¬ 
anthemum,” I notice his remarks about the Japanese Chrysanthemum 
Belle Paule. I grew this year six plants, and they were the most vigorous 
plants in the collection, but not one good bud could be had. Three were 
standards, the other three were cut down. The only cause that I can 
attribute it to is that Belle Paule is a very free soft-growing variety, and 
that at the time the buds were appearing there were some very hot sunny 
days, and they were burnt in the formation. Perhaps Mr. Molyneux 
could explain the matter. His flowers of it at Kingston last year were 
not wanting in any respect.—J. B. 
HEATING BY HOT WATER. 
WATERTIGHT ASHPITS—HOT v. COLD WATER. 
Mr. Bardney, in his concluding article on the above subjeot, 
page 313, under the head of “ Fire Bars,” recommends the construction 
of ashpits to hold water. I do not remember seeing the plan advocated 
before by any writer than in a few lines on stoking penned by myself 
nearly two years ago. I hope, however, others who may have it in 
operation will very kindly favour us with their opinions. Mr. Bardney’s 
writings throughout his series, and in other articles on the subject of 
firing, have always seemed so consistent that I felt rather struck at the 
variance of theory on this point, and feel sure that good may be derived 
from exposure of two extremes. 
Mr. Bardney says it is a good plan to construct the ashpit so that 
water can be constantly kept in it. If the water can be kept cool by a 
steady flow in and out it acts beneficially in the preservation of the bars. 
Now, apart from the somewhat impracticable idea of flowing in and out 
in very many cases, my opinion is considerably in favour of allowing the 
steam, which is quickly caused to pass from the surface of water direotly 
amongst the bars, to accomplish the desired object. In fact, I know of 
nothing in my own experience which is so reliably self-acting as the 
evaporation in this case. The water is seldom below 80°, more generally 
at 130°, especially when both our doors are nearly closed, while at times 
it will reach with good and brisk firing to 160°, at which temperature 
evaporation is very great; theref ore, with increased fire heat evaporation 
increased in equal proportion, and circulating with much uniformity, is 
quite equal to the task of not only cooling the bars, but also preventing 
