362 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Ojtobar 21, 1881. 
dealing with gardens and gardening in Britain it would be a decided 
advantage if the climatic z mes as defined by Watson were used by 
horticulturists. Watson divides Britain into Arctic and Agrarian 
regions, and subdivides each of these into three zones. We know 
the z mal range of every British plant, and would it not be an advan¬ 
tage if we coutd similarly speak of Superagrarian, Midagrarian, and 
Iuferagrarian gardens ? The Inferagrarian zone is marked by the 
upper limit of Clematis, the Midagrarian by the upper limit of fruti- 
cose Rubi, and the Superagrarian by that of the Foxglove and 
common Brake. 
II. India embraces every variety of climate, from equatorial heat 
to perpetual snow, and an enormous range of variety in humidity. 
In India we have not less than 15,000 plants. There are a large 
portion of those that are known in the whole tropical zone of the 
Old World. Sir J. D. Hooker’s “ Flora of India” will fill no less 
than six volumes, of which four are now finished. 
III. The British possessions in North America fill an area nearly 
as large as that of Europe, but they yield very few plants not known 
in the United States. We estimate their flora at 5000 species. 
IV. We have in Mmriiius, Seychelles, and Guinea a mere frag¬ 
ment of the little-known flora of tropical Africa, which closely 
resembles in its general features that of tropical Asia. We may 
claim here perhaps 3000 species. 
V. The flora of the Cape and Natal is exceedingly rich, containing 
perhaps 8000 or 10,000 species. On this subject all horticulturists 
should read the excellent sketch contributed by Mr. Bolus to the 
Cape handbook issued in connection with the Indian and Colonial 
Exhibition. 
VI. The flora of Australia is very rich, and has been fully worked 
out by Mr. Bentham and Baron Von Mueller. The principal endemic 
types are concentrated in extra-tropical Australia. In tropical 
Australia there is a strong infusion of types from tropical Asia. The 
flora of New Zealand is not large, but interesting and peculiar. The 
flora of Fiji forms part of the general flora of Polynesia, and is as 
yet very inadequately explored. There is no abrupt line of demar¬ 
cation between Malaya and Polynesia in plants. We cannot reckon 
the number of plants in this province at less than 10,000. 
VII. In the West Indies and Guiana we possess a mere fragment 
of the great tropical American flora. The number of species may be 
estimated at 4000. So that, from a botanical point of view, the 
empire embraces three distinct botanical provinces and portions of 
four others, and these different areas are so situated that compara¬ 
tively few plants are found in more than one province ; so that 
there is in the British Empire nearly one-half of the whole number 
of the plants of the world—a state of things which, both in botany 
and horticulture, places us in a very favourable position. 
An animated discussion followed, in which the Rev. C. Wolley 
Dod, Mr. T. W. Girdlestone, Mr. Druery, and most of the other 
members present took part. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. 
Belle Paule, or Belle Pauline. —Mr. Cannell, Swanley, sent 
me a bloom of this when first sent out by Marrouch, and since then I 
have been anxious to grow it. Last year I gave a cutting to a friend, 
and both he and I failed to bloom it satisfactorily, evidently for the 
reasons stated hy Mr. Molyneux, page 333. This year I have grown it 
differently—viz., in a prepared and highly manured border against a 
south wall, and so far the buds are most promising. In habit and foliage, 
thus treated, it resembles Eve and Duchess of Albany. At present they 
are about 4 feet high each, but the last-named two are seemingly much 
1st r. and will require protection from frost. If your correspondents 
would try this and many others rather shy in setting their buds in a rich, 
deep, and well prepared border against a south wall, or sink the pots 
in such a position, should fruit trees or otherwise already monopolise it, 
so as to prevent or minimise the risk of insufficient water at the roots, 
siccess will be assured. If frost threatens, a sash in front where planted 
out will generally prevent injury until blooming has been completed. 
Early-blooming Chrysanthemums. —I am very pleased to see 
you have commenced to open your columns to those instructive notes and 
inquiries that at this time of the year all Chrysanthemum growers so 
much appreciate. Opinions are gradually getting fixed that for most 
purposes Madame Castex Desgranges is peerless as an early white. A 
month since I saw quantities of it as cut flowers in Covent Garden 
Markfct. These were, I presume, grown under glass. In a few places I 
saw beds of it, but they do not flower here before October in the open air. 
I doubt if it can ever be used for this purpose in our moist rainy climate 
—the moisture lodges in and rapidly rots the bio >ms. Earlier and better 
for beds is the little white beauty, La Petite Marie, growing about 8 inches 
high and perfect in form. A large bed, with La Vierge centre if wh : te 
was desired, or Anastasia if violet purple, with concentric circles of Mons. 
Laval'ewhite ; then Frederick Pc’e (crimson), Golden Jardin des Plantes 
(yellow), or Pre:oeit6, similar colour, but a week earlier; then Nanum 
(blush), with the af ore-mentioned La Petite Marie f or margin, would be an 
extremely interesting object, contrasting in colours, of suitable height, 
and all blooming suffi fiently near to the same timo as to be very effective 
during S ptember and October. One of the best of the late introductions 
is Salter’s Early Blush, a hybrid Pompon of medium size, blooming in 
the open border the first week in October, a beautiful early reflsxed. 
Much taller is G. Wermig; though a sport from Madame C. Desgranges 
I cannot at all say as a yellow it is so good. Djlphine Caboche and 
Secretaire Daurel, shades of lilac and purple, now blooming, about 
16 inches high, are perhaps most floriferous oE all, literally hiding their 
foliage. Fiberta, though early, has not yet bloomed with me. . Pynaert 
Van Geert, tall Japanese, Isidore Feral, and Alex. Dufour, are just now 
(mid-October) commencing to open their blooms in the open air. The 
foregoing are a solection as the best of thirty-six varieties. Elaine, Fair 
Maid of Guernsey, Lady Salborne, and James S titer will expand in a 
week.—W. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
Anemone Chrysanthemum Emperor. —I was surprised when I 
read in the Journal that the Judges at the Crystal Palace last November 
pronounced this a Japanese Anemone. I have grown this variety over 
twenty years, long before the Japanese varieties were generally known, 
particularly Japanese Anemones. I must acknowledge that it is a rather 
deceptive variety, (and not free in producing good flower buds. The 
blooms when young are of a purple lilac colour, with a lighter centre, but 
when old they assume a deep cherry red hue. Its guard petals are long 
and ragged and sometimes irregular, and may be taken by the inexpe¬ 
rienced for a Japanese Anemone. I am glad to see the N itional Society 
have placed it in its right section. Exhibitors and judges cannot be 
better guided than by following the above mentioned catalogue. The 
edition for 1886 is a great improvement on the old one, and a good guide 
for cultivators as well as exhibitors and judges. 
Proving Chrysanthemum and Chrysanthemum Belle Paule. 
—I have never experienced any diffimlty in selecting flower buds of 
Belle Paule. With me it produces buds so freely that the difficulty is to 
select the best. I have gr >wn it for three years, and have al ways f mnd 
it one of the most free. It is a lats variety and produces the best blooms 
from lateral buds. Exhibitors as a rule select the crown bud, or summer 
buds, hence their f lilure with this variety, as the summer buds are nearly 
always soft or blind and seldom come to perfection. Another mistake 
often happens— i.e., growing it in too large a pot. It is a very tall, soft, 
and free grower, and should be in a size smaller pot thaD many other 
varieties, so as to ripen or harden its growths. 
I always prove all new varieties by allowing my plants to grow 
naturally —i e , without stopping, and only partly thin the bloom buds, 
hence I am better able t> firm a more correct opinion as to character 
or habit, and suitability for exhibition blooms or plants, &c. I often 
notice Pompon varieties (new) disbudded so extensively that the blooms 
are forced to an unusual large sizo; that gives the blooms the appearance 
of being hybrids or small incurved or reflexed flowers. I am proving 
this season over one hundred varieties on the natural system of allowing 
most of their growths to produce bloom buds.— Robert Owen, 
Maidenhead. 
Chrysanthemum Emperor. — I was rather amused to find that 
Mr. Molyneux should own himself responsible for the disqualification 
of Chrysanthemum Emperor. I had taken it to be the measure of some 
far less authority. But surely if I read Mr. Molyneux’s remarks rightly, 
heistreading on dangerous ground when he argues that a bloom out of 
character is to be disqualified. I quite agree with him that it is m's- 
leading to the public for blooms to be shown out of character, but if they 
are correctly named, as in this instance, it is not for the judges ^disqualify 
the whole stand. There are instances in which much discretion is required 
in judging on this point. Take the old question of Princess of Wales and 
Mrs. Heale. These, though qu’te distinct, are often shown so much alike 
as to make it very doubtful whether or not they have not been cut from 
the same plant. I should not like to say that one of them was simply out 
of character, but should in many cases disqualify them as synonymous. 
A white Princess of Wales shown by itself should not be disqualified, but 
if shown on the same stand as a white Mrs. Heale it should bs.— 
N. Davis, Camlermell. 
Belle Paule. —I believe Mr. Molyneux has given the correct 
explanation of the reasons why Belle Paule is frequently shy in bud 
formation. My plants of this variety each produced crown buds 
freely about the middle of July. These being too early were taken and 
another growth taken forward. These growths added 2 feet 6 inches to 
the height of the plan's, and all produced a second crown bud during the 
second and third weeks in August, and which buds are now developiog 
finely. In Sheffiel 1 and neighbourhood, owing partly to our smoke-laden 
atmosphere and pattly t> our geographical position adjoining to the great 
Yorkshire and Derbyshire moors, we seldom suffhr from severe heat, as do 
growers in more favoured districts. To this reason and to the fact that 
my plants have, I know, never been too dry at the roots, I attribute their 
good behaviour as regards bud formation. I believe that, as regards this 
district, the season will prove to be the best we have had for many years 
for producing fine flowers. Some of the new American varieties recently 
raised by Mr. J oo. Thorpe are developing very fine flowers with me. 
Especially is this the case with Gorgeous, an early incurve 1 Japanese, of 
a bright golden yellow c dour, a very large and deep flower, and which 
will, I believe, prove to bra fine exhibition flower. I hope Mr. M ilyneux 
will be able to publish his book before the exhibition seison sets in. I 
think a copy should be in the hands of all exhibitors as a valuable wo'k 
of reference, especially up m points of detail in staging and exhibiting. 
W. K. W. 
