432 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 16, 1896. 
Japanese Nomenclature. 
Until the present year floral hero worship was entirely unknown to 
the native Japanese grower of Chrysanthemums. He almost always 
selected poetical or fanciful names for his plants, such as Cherry on the 
Peak, Moon in Frosty Night, Snow on Pine, Sea of Setting Sun, Cascade 
of Thousand Fathoms, Moon in the Window, A Thousand Sparks, Eye 
of a Snake, and the like ; but taking the cue from western florists, I 
observe that one Japanese grower, probably as a compliment to some of 
his victorious countrymen in the recent struggle between China and 
Japan, has adopted the following for his novelties of 1895 :—Admiral 
Ito, Count Yamagata, General Nodzu, and Marshal Oyama, 
Italian Chrysanthemums. 
A Chrysanthemum fancier in the States inquires of me in a letter 
just to hand for the names of some German and Italian authorities 
on the popular flower. Although there have been shows in Germany 
I have never heard of any horticulturist who has a special claim to 
be considered an authority ; but perhaps some of your readers who 
have more to do with that country than I can help with the desired 
information. With respect to Italy there are three raisers who have 
eent out some seedlings, and most of these have been imported into 
England ; but when autumn has arrived, and inquiry has been made for 
the Italian novelties at our trade growers, the results have been by no 
means promising, and I doubt whether half a dozen could be found in 
the hands of our English growers. 
The Oldest Chrysanthemum. 
Everybody knows that the first large flowering Chrysanthemum 
was called the Old Purple, and was introduced from China into Europe 
in 1789, and was figured in the " Botanical Magazine,” plate 327, in 
1796. Having recently purchased an old French book in four volumes, 
entitled *' El^mens de Botanique,” I naturally turned up the index for 
Chrysanthemums. t 
I found a coloured plate of a variety that does not resemble the one 
in the” Botanical Magazine,” as it represents a small dull red flower of 
the single type with a yellow centre, about 2 inches in diameter. It is 
■called Chrysanth^me d’Automne, but no varietal name is given, and by 
the appearance of the book and the letter-press reference to the plant 
as having been grown in French gardens for several years, I am inclined 
to think that both plates quoted are intended to depict the same flower. 
None of the four volumes has any title page or date, nor does an 
author’s name appear. Can any reader of the Journal supply me with 
particulars of the “El^mens de Botanique?” In size it is a small 
quarto. 
Hairy Chrysanthemums. 
I note what “ E. M.” says on page 410 about these varieties, and 
have never believed that they would create more than a transient feeling 
of interest. Some of the pure white varieties when grown in bush form, 
and with a large number of flowers, as I have once or twice seen them, 
may be very useful for filling vases for indoor decoration. Enfant des 
Deux Mondes in particular has a special value in this way. Some of 
the others, however, are of dirty washed-out colours that will never 
please the eye either of visitor to the shows or artistic decorator, and 
the end will no doubt be, as ” E. M.” says, that the whole race will find 
a permanent resting place on the rubbish heap. 
But that event has not yet come to pass. Mr. Jones of Lewisham 
catalogues twenty-one kinds, nearly all of which I have seen and closely 
examined at one time or another, and which may certainly be pronounced 
ai the best. The Americans who successively puffed up Mrs. Alpheus 
Hardy, Louis Boehmer, and several others seem to have dropped the race 
of hairy Chrysanthemums entirely this year. In Chrysanthemums as 
in many other matters this proverbially hard-headed nation rarely do 
much for empty honour or fame. If there are no dollars to be obtained 
the matter is dropped for something more remunerative. 
On the continent the growers seem to delight in cataloguing all they 
can get hold of, and so we find in Simon Delaux’a new lisl three series 
of the hirsute section, comprising a total from all sources of seventy-two 
different varieties.—C. H, P. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
May 14th. 
Though some beautiful Orchids were exhibited, also charming 
collections of hardy flowers, fine stands of Roses, glowing Cannas, superb 
Lilacs, and several Daffodili, yet Tulips undoubtedly predominated, 
and the designation applied by a visitor of ” Tulip Day” did not appear 
inappropriate. Messrs. Barr & Son and Veitch & Sons had Tulips of all 
heights, sizes, and colours in which these flowers are seen, from the 
gorgeous Gesnerianas and Darwin’s to the delicate Picotees and quaint 
Parrots ; while Mr. Bennett-Poe had an excellent collection of the refined 
florists’ varieties, Messrs. Barr having also many in this section. It was 
observable that the visitors were much interested in the displays, and 
the great decorative value of Tulips appeared to be generally admitted. 
Fruit Committee —Present : T. Francis Rivers, Esq. (in the 
chair) ; with Messrs. G. Bunyard, H. J. Pearson, H. Balderson, G. W. 
Cummins, J. Cheal, J. T. Saltmarsh, J. A. Laing, W. Bates, T. Glen, 
G. Wythes, F. Q. Lane, G. Reynolds, J. Smith, G. Norman, E. Gilman, 
J. Hudson, A. Dean, and J. Wright. 
With the exception of the new Strawlerry Laxton's Leader and 
sundry Cucumbers, the Committee had very little to do on the present 
occasion. With reference to the Strawberry mentioned, we have nothing 
to add to our description of it on page 411 last week, where a fruit is 
illustrated. It was not expected, as was there suggested, that fruits 
would be kept sufficiently firm for placing before the Committee; but 
Messrs. Laxton were out in their calculations, and for those that were 
exhibited a first-class certificate was unanimously awarded. 
Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, exhibited several fruits of a new 
Cucumber, also fruiting stems. The variety was named Marvel, 
presumably because of its great productiveness. The fruits are below 
medium size, well shaped, and of good colour. Allen’s Favourite 
Cucumber was shown by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons—large, fine 
fruits. The variety has previously received an award of merit. Mr. 
James Vert sent very large dark green fruits of Vert’s Favourite 
Cucumber. The Committee recommended that, if practicable, a trial 
of Cucumbers should be conducted at Chiswick, to include the above 
named and other varieties, for determining their qualities and dis¬ 
tinctiveness under similar cultural conditions. 
Mr. E. Gilman, Ingestre Gardens, sent a fruit of May Prolific 
Melon, the result of a cross between Hero of Lockinge and Ritching’s 
Perfection ; very juicy and sweet, but not sufficiently high flavoured 
to merit a special award. Mr. G. Wythes sent from Syon House 
very fine and highly coloured fruits of the Amsden June Peach, and a 
cultural commendation was unanimously granted. Mr. J. F. McLeod, 
Dover House Gardens, Roehampton, sent a large bundle of Asparagus, 
and received a vote of thanks. 
The Horticultural Travelling Structures Co., Limited, exhibited a 
model of a span-roofed house on rails, which moved to and fro wit’u 
great freedom. The Committee thought that a good method of testing 
the practical value of the plan would be to have a structure of full 
workable size in operation at Chiswick over Strawberries or other crops. 
Floral Committee. —Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair); 
and the Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain, with Messrs. J. Fraser, 0. Thomas, 
C. T. Druery, H. B. May, H. Herbst, R. Dean, J. Jennings. C. E. 
Pearson, J. D. Pawle, G. H. Engleheart, H. Bennett Poe, C. E. Shea, 
H. J. Jones, E. Beckett, C. Blick, E. Mawley, G. Paul, G. Gordon, 
G. Nicholson, J. W. Barr, and J. Walker. 
Messrs. Thos. S. Ware, Tottenham, staged a very showy group of 
plants and flowers, amongst others being thickly bloomed plants of 
Spiraea japcnica nana compacfa, S. palmata, and S. astilboides, Saxi- 
fraga pyramidalis, Cypripedium pubescens, C. calceolus, C. acaulis, and 
C. montana. Ranunculus aconitifolius plenus. Orchis fu-:ci. Gladiolus The 
Bride, and others. Tulips were also represented in many bright and 
showy flowers. Several large showy plants of Paeonifs were included in 
the group, as also were Iris La Blanche, Chrysolora, Queen Victoria, and 
White Queen (silver Flora medal). 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, staged an interesting group 
of hardy flowers, amongst others being Spirmi confusa, Pyrus Malus 
floribunda, Pyrus Riversi, Mountain Ash, Berberis vulgaris purpurea, 
Doronicum Harper Crewe and D. Clusi, Cerasus domestica pleno, 
C. Sieboldi rosea pleno, Syringa persica alba, S. alba grandiflora. Azalea 
mollis, together with pretty bedding Violas Rob Roy, Countess of 
Kintore, Duchess of Sutherland, Goldfinch, Trentham Purple, Countess 
of Hopetown, Duchess of Fife, Blue Cloud, and others (bronze Banksian 
medal). 
Mr. J. Fitt, gardener to Earl Cowper, staged exceptionally fine 
flowers of Lilac alba grandiflora. Mr. George Mount, Canterbury, sent 
a fine collection of Rose blooms, conspicuous amongst which were The 
Bride, Niphetos, Catherine Mermet, Duke of Edinburgh, Ulrich Brunner, 
Mrs. John Laing, La France, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, G6n^ral Jacque¬ 
minot, Baroness Rothschild, Fisher Holmes, and Madame Gabriel 
Luizet (silver-gilt Banksian medal). Mr. Hudson, gardener to Messrs, 
de Rothschild, Gunnersbury House, Acton, staged a pretty display of 
Rose Turner’s Crimson Rambler, and also fine spikes of bloom of 
Cercis siliquaHrum. 
Mr. A. Harding, gardener to the Marquis of Huntly, Peter¬ 
borough, sent sprays of Aucuba japonica in fruit. Mr. A. Waterer, 
Woking, staged Lilac L. Spathe, and L. alba grandiflora. Mr. G. F. 
Wilson, Weybridge, sent a flower spike of the dwarf Rhubarb, Rheum 
Mcorcroftianum. F, W. Moore, Esq., Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, 
sent several curiosities—namely, Brownea Ariza, Acanthephippium 
javanicum, Darlingtonia californica, Stropanthus dichotomus, and 
hybrid Sarracenias. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, staged a very creditable 
group of Gloxinias, interspersed with Maidenhair Ferns and Palms ; 
conspicuous amongst the former were Majestic, John Laing, Mrs. Laing, 
Leopard, Lord, and Killingdon. The plants were exceedingly well 
grown, and the flowers fine and of good substance. Included in the 
exhibit were several well-flowered plants of Streptocarpus Royal Purple, 
and Caladiums Rose Laing, Pauline Guichard, and La Duchesse (silver- 
gilt Banksian medal). 
Mefsrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, exhibited a small but very 
