December 9, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
519 
First on the list is John Thorpe, jun. This to me is the most beauti¬ 
ful Chrysanthemum ever raised ; it is a beautiful clear yellow very large 
Japanese Anemone, and will in the very near future reap a golden harvest 
as a cut flower alone. No better proof of this can be had than to state 
that on the opening day a fine single bloom of this was pinned on a 
lady’s dress (black), and inside of half an hour over thirty ladies inquired 
of the wearer where they could buy a flower like it, and disappointment 
was plainly expressed in every applicant’s face when told that that par¬ 
ticular variety was not for sale. Some at a distance went bo far as to 
remark (not intended for the wearer’s hearing, of course) she must have 
stolen it or we could get it also. Were I the fortunate holder of the 
entire stock of this variety I think I could easily make a rich harvest 
from it, for in the Chrysanthemum yellow is undoubtedly the most sought 
colour by the majority of the ladies. I well remember the sensation that 
grand old variety, Temple de Solomon, caused when first grown in 
quantity, and what an impetus it gave to this popular flower. 
The next in point of merit for all purposes is J. Delaux (raised by 
Delaux), a very deep crimson, and will most certainly be a grand flower 
for all purposes and a fit companion to the above ; the colour will also 
be shown off all the better by placing it side by side with the first 
named. 
Next in point of novelty comes Mrs. Grover Cleveland, a Japanese 
variety, but quite distinct in character from either of the above. It is 
straw white, with narrow twisted petals, giving it the appearance of a 
glittering star in the distance, and placed as it was in a bed of Maiden¬ 
hair Fern was truly beautiful and graceful. 
Last but not least comes the entirely new strain raised by Mr. Allen, 
a near neighbour of mine, and called Mrs. Aker Allen ; it is a Japanese 
also, but having a distinct and decided Violet fragrance ; the variety in 
in which this most decided had a beautiful pale lemon centre. There 
must be a glorious future for this strain, as it overcomes the hitherto 
objectionable feature of Chrysanthemums to many—their rather dis¬ 
agreeable odour. Here we have not only a large fine flower of a very 
charming colour, but a delightful fragrance as well. 
There were also many other very fine varieties Bhown, but those named 
above to me possessed the most striking qualities, and if Mr. Thorpe 
never raises another variety his name will be handed down to succeeding 
generations in conjunction with these two grand varieties. 
The collection of beet seedlings, which won the silver cup given by 
Jas. R. Pitcher, Esq., and exhibited and raised by Mr. Richard Brett, con¬ 
tained many promising varieties also, which will soon find their way into 
commerce. The variety named after Mrs. Langtry is also very pro¬ 
mising ; it is a very large white Japanese. Count E. Zbrowski, another 
grand variety, Japanese, a beautiful blending of white and lemon, base of 
the petals deep yellow. Prince Ilamoutski, a very much improved Comte 
de Germiny, deeper in colour and much larger. These appear to embrace 
most of the novelties shown; but there was one little gem shown, Par- 
querette Pompon, which should be in every collection, for it attracted 
almost universal attention from its neat little flowers and charming colour 
—a clear lilac.—J. N. Mat (in American Florist'), 
Chrysanthemums at Ingatestone. —The public shows now being 
over, one has time to look round at what may be called the private 
shows, and one of the best certainly that I seen is in the gardens of 
E. Caldecot, Esq., of Trueloves, Ingatestone, Essex. The garden is 
situated on a hill, the grounds are laid out very tastefully and well kept; 
but the object of my visit was to see the Chrysanthemums, and I was 
most gratified with the display. Mr. Harris, Mr. Caldecot’s gardener, 
deserves high praise both for the judicious selection as well as for the 
excellent cultivation and general condition of his plants. He is well to 
the fore also in new varieties, incurved and Japanese, whilst at the same 
time not forgetiing the older hut not less beautiful varieties. There were 
certainly some hundreds of plants in full bloom when I was there, in the 
finest condition, all showing that Mr. Harris would be a formidable com¬ 
petitor at any show, some of his blooms being equal to many of the 
prizewinners at the Crystal Palace or Aquarium. I may also mention 
that the Chrysanthemum does not absorb all Mr. Harris’s care, for the 
stove and greenhouse plants, Grapes, &c., are all admirably grown.- 
J. Wright, Middle Temple Gardens. 
about five years ago, when introduced a smallish reflexed, and having 
the peculiarity, like Progne, of being sweet-scented—name lost. If cut¬ 
tings are taken early Dr. Sharp, Roi des Precoces, Henri Jacotot, Mons. 
Moussillac, Francois Delaux, Mons. Juan Equileor, Madame Sevin, Alex. 
Dufour, &c., various dark shades may be bloomed early on crown buds.— 
W. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
NEW GLADIOLI. 
As this is the season when the new varieties both in England and 
France are announced, it will be well to notice the aspirants for 
favour issuing from the two celebrated firms of Vilmorin & Co. of 
Paris and Messrs. Kelway & Son of Langport, reserving what I have 
to say concerning those of this year until I give the usual note of my 
own little culture by-and-by. I cannot but rejoice to find that more 
attention has of late been given to this autumnal flower, and 
although but scanty encouragement is given to it by the organisers 
of exhibitions in the metropolis, yet a revival in them has shown 
itself during the last two years. It is true that, as far as amateurs 
October Chrysanthemums. —In answer to Mr. A. Young’s remarks 
respecting October-blooming Chrysanthemums, 1 beg to say that I con¬ 
sider Mods. William Holmes the very best dark Chrysanthemum for 
blooming in October, as I have two first-class certificates which were 
awarded me for that variety on the 12th and 13th of October, and L’lle 
des Plaisirs i9 another good dark variety for flowering in October, and 
Mons. H. Jacotot. These I consider three of the best.—G. Stevens. 
Dark October-blooming Chrysanthemums.— In reply to Mr. A. 
Young, page 473, I would like to ask him first why he would confine us 
to October bloomers ? Why at present, the first days of December, I have 
a south wall 200 feet long studded all over with Chrysanthemum blooms, 
and from which I have been cutting for more than two months. In order 
that there mav be no doubt on the matter, I hope before the end of the 
week to send Editor a box of them, with some observations on the treat¬ 
ment and method of procedure. As a rule the early bloomers cannot com¬ 
pare in size or fulness to the November and December varieties, and 
those having a spare south wall have this year lost a great treat. In fact 
in my prepared borders against a south wall I have had far finer blooms 
than in pots. But this anon. There are very few really gooddaik October 
bloomer 1 . I have one very dark, almost black, sent me by Mr. Cannell 
are concerned, this is mainly caused by some coming forward from 
the north ; but surely one would say if this can be done in Durham 
and the northern counties, why not in the more favoured districts of 
the south ? Perhaps we are beginning to know a little more about 
them, and although we cannot stop the ravages of disease we may 
mitigate them. 
I think the theory that they do best on light soils must be 
abandoned. My friend, Mr. Burrell of Cambridge, who so success¬ 
fully exhibited last season, has been very positive on this subject, and 
his contention is that where it is possible they should be planted in 
strong ground, of course well drained. I have proVed this in my 
own garden this year, and although it may be that the season has had 
something to say to it, yet the difference between those planted in 
the part of the garden where the soil is light and that where I tried 
them this year is so manifest that I cannot but conclude that he is 
right. Another thing that ought to encourage their growth is their 
greatly reduced price. A great number of really good show varieties 
(some of which I have had gd winning stands this year) may be had for 
a few pence, while I believe for £2 a very excellent lot to begin with 
may be obtained. Even then if they do go off in the unaccountable 
manner, they can be easily replaced. We buy our Hyacinths with 
the certainty that they will be of very little use to us for another 
year. We need not do the same with our Gladioli, but we may with- 
out much fear order our corms, knowing that if they do fail we shall 
not have to make a big dip out of our pockets to replace them. 
With regard to the taking of them to the place of exhibition, I 
saw in Scotland this year a very ingenious plan, invented by a Mr. 
Smith of Kilmarnock, by which an amateur could without much 
difficulty take his twelve or twenty-four spikes. It will be best 
explained by the following diagram (fig. 71), scale 1 inch to a foot. 
