January 11,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
21 
CHEYSANTHEMUM ANALYSIS 
1885—93. 
-X- 
T he last November Exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, if we include all sections of the Show, proved with 
one exception, 1890, the largest the Society has yet held. The 
display in the incurved section, although small as compared with 
that at several former shows, was nevertheless larger than in either 
of the two previous years. The Japanese were splendidly repre¬ 
sented. Indeed, if we except the Centenary Exhibition of 1890, 
the number staged has never before been equalled. 
The total number of flowers shown in competition in the 
incurved and Japanese divisions at each of the nine exhibitions, 
exclusive of those staged in the classes set apart for six blooms of 
a variety, was as follows :— 
1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
Incurved 
839 
1080 
964 
1147 
682 
1377 
827 
609 
885 
Japanese 
835 
1026 
1221 
1759 
922 
2054 
975 
1033 
1862 
1674 
2106 
2185 
2906 
1604 
3431 
1802 
1642 
2747 
There were not quite as many Japanese Anemones as in 1891, 
but the Reflexed, Large Anemones, Pompons, Pompon Anemones, 
and Single were all staged in larger numbers than at any previous 
exhibition. 
The growing period having proved throughout the greater 
part of it exceptionally warm, a very early flowering season might 
reasonably have been anticipated, and that consequently the late- 
flowering Chrysanthemums would have obtained a great advantage 
over the early ones at the November exhibition. This, however, 
is found not to have been the case, the early flowering kinds being 
as a rule rather more largely shown than usual, while the latter 
sorts were somewhat less frequently staged than in an average 
season. 
During the period covered by our analysis the early and late 
seasons have been pretty equally balanced, there having been four 
of the former against five of the latter. In the case of the 
Japanese other influences are at the present time so much more 
powerful that this even distribution of early and late seasons is 
of comparatively little consequence, but the table of Incurved 
is, of course, benefited by it. 
The Empress of India, although never before so poorly repre¬ 
sented as at the last Exhibition, nevertheless still continues to 
retain the position it has held throughout the nine years as the 
premier flower in the incurved section. Several other leading 
varieties in the table, including Queen of England, Golden Empress 
of India, and Miss M. A. Haggas, were also less frequently staged 
than at any previous show, so that in this respect the Empress 
did not stand alone. Other choice kinds, such as Lord Alcesterj 
Golden Queen of England, Alfred Salter, and Nil Desperandum 
were also to be seen in fewer stands than usual ; in fact, the 
only noteworthy exception was Jeanne d’Arc, which, except in 
1887, has never before been as well shown. 
In some cases this falling away may have been due to the 
season, but so general was it that some other cause must be 
sought for if any satisfactory solution is to be obtained, for at 
none of the preceding eight exhibitions has this occurred to 
anything like the same extent. When we come to treat of the 
positions occupied by the varieties of recent introduction it will 
be seen that it is owing to an unprecedentedly large number of these 
being exhibited rather than to any sudden decline in favour of the 
older kinds that the explanation is to be found. 
Looking down the table we come to the first of these new 
varieties, Madame Darier, at No. 5, which although only sent out 
in 1890, was shown at the last exhibition in more stands than any 
other incurved, with the single exception of Jeanne d’Arc. By the 
way, the name of this new variety is almost invariably incorrectly 
spelt ‘‘ Barrier,” whereas in the National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
catalogue and also in the raisers’ catalogue (so Mr. C. Harman Payne 
kindly informs me) it appears as I have here given it—Darier. 
Then at No. 17 we reach another variety of the same year^ 
Monsieur R. Bahuant, which was staged oftener than Golden 
Empress of India, Golden Queen of England, or Alfred Salter. 
Next at No. 24 we find Baron Hirsch, which although only 
distributed the year before, appeared in as many stands as either 
Golden Empress of India or Mrs. Heale. Then lower down at 
No. 31 we come to Ami Hoste (1890), at No. 33 Madame F. Mistral 
(also 1890), at No. 33 to Mrs. Robinson King (1891), at No. 36 to 
Brookleigh Gem (1892), and lastly at No. 43 to Lucy Kendall 
(1892). In fact, taking the total number of flowers staged in this 
section, about one-sixth were those of varieties sent out during the 
last three years, i.e., since 1889. 
Judging by a table before me giving the performances of the 
established varieties for the nine years, it is interesting to notice 
how consistently nearly all the best of them have maintained their 
positions as exhibition flowers throughout this period. The 
important exceptions to this rule are but three in number—John 
Salter, Jardin des Plantes, and Mr. Bunn. John Salter at the last 
three shows has been staged only about half as frequently as at 
the preceding six exhibitions. Jardin des Plantes has also fallen 
away considerably the last three years. The most noteworthy 
instance, however, is that of Mr. Bunn, its average for the first 
four years being thirty-five against eight in the remaining five 
years. 
I have again done my best with those go-a-head fellows the 
Japanese, with the result that the wholesale slaughter of our old 
favourites still continues, the gaps in the ranks being at once filled 
by younger competitors for fame. In order to cut short the 
lingering agonies of a few which would otherwise take refuge low 
down in the table, I have this time refused admission to any but 
new varieties which show a record below eight. 
Viviand Morel, the sensational flower at the 1892 Exhibition, 
now heads the list of Japanese. The record for this fine variety is 
a truly astonishing one. It came out in 1891, and yet in the 
Exhibition of 1892 was only beaten by Edwin Molyneux, 
Avalanche, and Sunflower. Then again, with or without taking 
into consideration the varying extent of the different shows, there 
is no other instance of any Chrysanthemum whatever being as 
frequently shown as Viviand Morel was last year. Considering the 
rapid influx of new sorts it is somewhat consoling to find that there 
still remains a fair sprinkling of the so-called “ established ” kinds 
which continue to maintain their popularity. Three of these are 
worthy of special mention—Sunflower, Mrs. Falconer Jameson, and 
Boule d’Or. 
Among others which stand their ground almost equally well 
may be mentioned Edwin Molyneux, Avalanche, Mr. A. H. Neve, 
and Madame John Laing. On the other hand there are of course 
very many more which have fallen away more or less seriously 
in recent years. For instance, at the last two exhibitions the 
following have been indifferently represented as compared with 
former years—Etoile de Lyon, Stanstead White, Jeanne Delaux, 
Sarah Owen, Madame Baco, and Mr. Ralph Brocklebank. Of 
those which have been losing ground for three or more years 
may be mentioned Val d’Andorre, Meg Merrilies, Baronne de 
Frailly, Belle Paule, Carew Underwood, and Comte de Germiny. 
The most remarkable instance of a leading variety being badly 
shown last year as compared with its previous records is Monsieur 
No. 707. — VoL. XXVIII., Third Series. 
No. 2363.—VoL. XO., Old Series, 
