January 25, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER?, 
63 
I N our issue of November 30th last year we published Mr. 
Mawley’s analysis for 1892, founded on the number of times 
the varieties were exhibited in first prize stands at leading shows. 
Circumstances prevented the diligent compiler completing his work 
sooner, and we were aware that as compared with the varieties 
exhibited a year later the Japanese were not represented in up 
to date form. The returns were published in the usual way to 
prevent a break in the series, which as a whole represent the 
progress in Chrysanthemums and fluctuations in exhibits at the 
National Chrysanthemum Society’s shows, in a form as complete 
as is attainable. The lateness of publication prejudiced the value 
of the 1892 analysis in the estimation of not a few readers, and as 
the Journal of Horticulture is not content to lag very far behind 
in Chrysanthemum lore, or any other lore for the matter of that, 
steps were taken to bring it abreast of the times. With the 
valued co-operation of Mr. E. Molyneux and forty other good 
men and true the object is accomplished. 
In view of the publication of Mr. Mawley’s analysis of 1893 
(page 21, January 11th) it was not deemed necessary to ask for 
returns of incurved varieties, as the additions to them are few in 
comparison with their more fecund congeners the Japanese. Of 
these every year brings many new and effective forms, and old 
favourites are apt to fall considerably in public estimation in a 
year. For instance. Avalanche, which was no long time ago near 
the top of the list is, according to the latest returns. No. 18, while 
it does not even find a place in the varieties chosen for an ideal 
stand of twelve blooms. This is the most remarkable departure 
from the position of the variety in Mr. Mawley's analysis of last 
season’s exhibits, where it stands No. 3 in the list on the page 
quoted. We thought it advisable to publish the list in question 
prior to the present returns of Mr. Molyneux, in order that our 
readers might compare the order of the varieties in each case, 
and draw their own deductions. 
They will see that eight out of the first twelve in the present 
returns are included in the first twelve in the Mawley analysis, but 
they will also find remarkable divergencies. Gloire du Rocher, for 
instance, sinks from No. 10 in the list on page 21 to 32 in the 
present returns, both tabulations being founded on the last autumn 
shows; while Robert Owen, 14 on the Molyneux list, does not 
appear to be mentioned in the analysis, yet this variety finds a place 
in the ideal stand of twelve. It will be noticed that eleven out of 
twelve of these are found in the twenty-four list, but in different 
positions, Mdlle. Marie Hoste being put out by several voters in 
favour of Robert Owen, otherwise there would have been four 
whites instead of three, with Mdlle. Therese Rey at the head of 
them. It is time, however, to let Mr. Molyneux speak on the 
work he has done so well. He writes as follows:— 
Acting on the suggestion of the Editor of the Journal of 
Horticulture, I issued invitations to forty-six of the leading private 
exhibitors and cultivators of this section of the Chrysanthemum 
to give a selection of what they considered the best twenty-four 
varieties, placing them in order of merit, also of twelve varieties, 
for making the finest stand, having regard to the colours of the 
blooms. The object of the election is mainly to assist those 
persons who are taking up the cultivation of this flower for the 
No. 709.— VoL. XXVIII., Third Series. 
first time, but it cannot fail to be of wide general interest. So 
large has been the increase in the number of varieties annually, 
that to those with but limited experience making a selection of the 
best kinds must be little short of bewildering. The electors were 
requested to name those varieties which they had either grown or 
seen staged during the last season. All but four responded to the 
invitation, circumstances beyond control preventing three of these 
from complying, a fact which proves the interest taken in the 
election by those concerned. All interested in Chrysanthemum 
culture appreciate the great amount of labour and care taken 
annually by Mr. Mawley in compiling his analysis for the benefit 
of Journal readers, and to his excellent work this election will 
form an appropriate pendant. 
No less than ninety-three varieties have been quoted in making 
the desired selection, showing great divergence in opinion on the 
relative merits of Japanese Chrysanthemums. A few years since 
the bulk of new forms were obtained from sports, but now that 
the raising of seedlings has become purely a question of manage¬ 
ment, the lists are likely to grow extremely daring the next few 
years. 
The first twelve names given in the twenty-four selection is an 
absolute proof of the appreciation by the voters of what I term 
the real type of a Japanese Chrysanthemum, as compared with 
those having incurved florets. No matter how beautiful these 
may be, there is a danger of their coming too near the ordinary 
incurved section for insuring absolute distinctness. Robert Owen 
is acknowledged to take the lead in this type, and beautiful though 
it be, it hardly represents the true Japanese flower. Its colour, 
however, in the estimation of some voters, presumably found it a 
place in the stand of twelve blooms, and less than twenty of what 
may be termed incurved Japanese find a place in the total varieties 
named. 
No one will be surprised to find Viviand Morel at the head 
of the list. Not only is this easy to produce, but its dwarf habit 
meets with great favour. Its latest progeny, Charles Davis, has 
come well to the front during its first year, and I expect to see 
this variety maintain its reputation. Edwin Molyneux and Col. 
W. B. Smith tie with Viviand Morel for the first place. The 
former is so well known as not to call for comment. Col. W. B. 
Smith has been such a short time in commerce that its position 
will come somewhat as a surprise. At the same time there is 
no denying its claim as one of the finest Japanese varieties we 
possess. 
Undoubtedly the finest white-flowered variety at the present 
time is Mdlle. Therese Rey, and as such it is recognised by the 
voters, no less than thirty-eight having given it their support. 
Florence Davis is only four points behind, which proves the 
stability of this 1891 production. Sunflower, although five years 
old, still holds its own amongst yellows, and it is difificult to 
imagine a variety with more points in its favour. In spite of 
the opposition to Etoile de Lyon it still has its adherents. Blooms 
are often seen distorted and bleached ; these do not represent 
the variety in its true character, but are examples of mismanage¬ 
ment. Avalanche, once so highly thought of, has fallen low 
down in the list, simply because larger blooms have come to the 
front. Exhibitors know that size, if unaccompanied with coarse¬ 
ness, is necessary now-a-days to win prizes. In this latter sentence 
lies the whole gist of the decline of this once popular favourite. 
W. Tricker has found many admirers ; the somewhat backward 
season no doubt helped it. 
Many persons will, no doubt, be surprised at the large number 
of new varieties mentioned. The bulk of them possess merit, but 
they have not been long enough in commerce to attain a higher 
position. Next season many of them will stand higher in such an 
election. 
It is worthy of note that only one variety in the list is ten 
years old (Boule d’Or), the nearest approach to this being Madame 
No. 2365.—VOL. XC., OLD SERIES, 
