76 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 25, 1894. 
to time top-dressed, would have fed the roots liberally and kept the 
trees in almost luxuriant growth. 
The giant Araucaria at Dropmore is one of the best examples anywhere 
of the value of-top dressing Conifers, for there have been from time to time 
frequent additions made to the surfacing or mulching, and the tree is 
now not only the finest of its kind in the kingdom, but it is doubtful 
whether, for its exceeding height, there is a specimen in the whole world 
so grandly furnished right to the ground as this one is. Of course there 
are many Conifers there planted on the lawns that cannot be so treated. 
These have to take their chance. Away in the remoter woods grand 
specimens crop up constantly, and in every case where top-dressing can 
be furnished it is productive of great good. With a soil naturally light 
and loose an addition of clay is found to be exceedingly helpful. All 
about the grounds where the Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, Andro- 
medas, and other shrubs are in wonderful profusion, there is a grand 
promise of bloom, and about the middle of May the place will indeed 
be gloriously beautiful. In spite of all that has been written about 
Dropmore, it still remains a delightful show place, and seems always 
to be as fresh as it is enjoyable.—A. D. 
Judging at Edinburgh Show. 
With reference to “Outsider’s” (page 55) opinion that if 
the Committee had acted as he suggests in informing the judges 
that they considered the award was wrong, but were powerless 
to alter it, they would have earned the goodwill of exhibitors 
generally, by doing all that lay in their power. I am acquainted 
with a case where the judges’ decision was questioned, the exhibits 
examined by practical men, including members of the Committee, and 
found not to be in accordance with justice. The Committee instructed 
their Secretary to write to the unfortunate second prizewinner, and say 
how sorry they were that a mistake had occurred, but at the time they 
had every confidence in the judges, who had been recommended to them 
as possessing practical knowledge ; but they found otherwise, and that 
they (the Committee) would see in the future that fit and proper persons 
were appointed as judges regardless of expense. The second-prize man 
forgave the Committee their share of the blunder that deprived him of 
a silver cup. This same Committee by that single action regained 
absolutely the confidence of exhibitors.— An Exhibitor. 
Mrs. L. C. Madeira. 
I SEE in last week’s Journal (page 55) that “E. M.” speaking of 
Mrs. L. C. Madeira Chrysanthemum says it resembles Mabel Ward. I 
fancy he cannot have the true variety. It has the same shaped petals and 
of the same colour as Jardin des Plantes. It is one of the best growers of 
any incurved I know, but late ; I had a number of plants at Christmas 
with six good blooms on each. Although not grown for exhibition the 
blooms would have beaten any Jardin des Plantes I have seen this 
year. It will be the best incurved yellow for late flowering, and 
will keep good all through January. To my mind this is a far better 
quality in a flower than being useful for a show board only, but I suspect 
Mrs. L. C. Madeira will be seen at the next season’s shows. I send you 
the only bloom of it I have left, which was cut some time ago. It is 
not so large as one that you previously described as “ extremely rich.” 
I feel confident “ E, M.” does not know the variety, and he should not 
criticise what he thought to be Mrs. L. C. Madeira in 1892. I shall be 
glad to hear what Mr. Owen has to say about it, and what you say 
about the colour of the bloom sent. Does it approach Mabel 
Ward more closely than Jardin des Plantes?—W. Wells. 
[The bloom in its semi-open state showing the inner side of the 
florets is as bright as Jardin des Plantes ; if it were quite incurved, 
showing the outer side of the florets, it would be a little paler yet 
brighter than Golden Empress.] 
Useful Chrysanthemums. 
Generally we want to grow “ the best ” for a particular purpose. 
Having during the past few seasons made extensive trials, I can recom¬ 
mend the following varieties with every confidence. The best of all 
among the earlies is undoubtedly Ryecroft Glory. It comes into bloom 
a few weeks before the glut of November bloomers. The blooms, which 
are of good substance, are of a rich golden yellow, excellent form, and the 
habit or growth of the plant has everything to recommend it. When 
stock will allow it will be largely grown by market men. A decidedly 
good white is Lady Fitzwygram. It is very pure and of a useful size. 
To precede Selbourne this is likely to become popular. For a dark 
crimson, especially for planting out and blooming in the open, nothing 
equals John Wolf. It is fuller, larger, and richer in colour than Roi 
des Pr6coces, and ultimately will replace that variety. 0. J. 
Quintus is not grown half as much as it deserves. It is the best of the 
pinks, very free bloomer, and of capital habit. The colour shows well 
by artificial light. When it expands in the open air the colour is darker 
Aud not so taking. 
The above quartette by no means exhaust the list of good and useful 
early or October blooming varieties. Undoubtedly the best late white 
is L. Canning. It has a capital habit of growth, dwarf, and sturdy. 
The blooms are large and very pure. Many persons make a mistake 
with this variety in stopping the growths too late, June 30th is quite 
late enough for the final pinching. Golden Gem is a first-class yellow, 
but when grown in beds and potted in October—the plan some growers 
adopt—the blooms come bronze. The best golden yellow is Mrs. E. G. 
Hill, the best blooms being produced on plants stopped about the latter 
end of July.—W. J. Godfrey. 
National Chrysanthemum Society. 
The General Committee of this Society held a meeting at Anderton’s 
Hotel on Monday evening last, when the chair was occupied by Mr. R. 
Ballantine. It was announced that the whole of the nominations for 
judges at the Society’s shows in October, Novem'oer, and December had 
been accepted, and also that it was proposed to hold the annual meeting 
on the 19th February. 
Interesting correspondence was read from the Victorian Horti¬ 
cultural Society concerning Chrysanthemum cultivation and exhibition 
in that uolony, and from the Curator of the Missouri Botanic Garden in 
respect to the work of floral nomenclature undertaken at the instance of 
the Society of American Florists. Mr. J. R. Starling, who has acted as 
the Society’s Treasurer for many years, tendered his resignation; but 
the Secretary was instructed to ask him to reconsider his decision before 
the annual meeting. The report of the Schedule sub-Committee was 
then presented. The principal items appear to be the institution of a 
class for hairy Chrysanthemums and additions to the metropolitan 
classes for amateurs. The term “amateur” as now adopted by the 
Society is one who does not employ paid assistance of any kind in the 
culture of the Chrysanthemum or advertises them for sale. In class 40 
for a group of Chrysanthemums there will be foliage plants added, and 
the space reduced to 60 feet instead of 100. The specimen plants may 
be disbudded at the option of the exhibitor, and a new class is proposed 
for six single flowered Chrysanthemums, bush form, not formally trained, 
with prizes of £2, £1 lOs., and £1. For table decorations gold, silver- 
gilt, and silver medals will be offered, and for Chrysanthemums with 
long stems some good money prizes are also promised. Vases of 
Chrysanthemums are also provided for. Among the donors of special 
prizes are Mr. H. J. Jones, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. W. Wells, and Messrs. 
Cutbush & Sons. The above constitute the most important items con¬ 
cerning the great November Show, the others in October and December 
being but little interfered with. There were three societies—the 
Dulwich, Stoke Newington, and the Teignmouth admitted iu affiliation. 
Stopping Chrysanthemums. 
The information would be most opportune if growers of Chrys¬ 
anthemums were to state their views as to the most suitable time to stop 
or top Chrysanthemums which are being grown on the specimen bloom 
principle, so that the buds will show at proper dates for them to develop 
into handsome and well coloured flowers. By discussing the dates now 
it would prove valuable for the coming season. At the time the buds 
are showing notes on this subject are of f requent occurrence, but in one 
sense they arc valueless, and which often appear inexplicable to that 
greater body of smaller growers who are looking out for information. 
It is easy enough to say that the buds which are showing at that time 
are too early, and that the shoots must be run on to the next bud. Very 
simple all this appears, but unfortunately if the crown bud which shows 
is too early the next one in many cases proves too late, or the flowers 
when they do appear are of little value. 
There are often cases stated that it is too early to take the buds of 
certain varieties, when those who are responsible for the information 
should know that the next bud is worthless. For illustration of 
this kind of information I will state Sunflower, Stanstead White, and 
Avalanche, the terminals in each case proving worthless. The notes 
are needed essentially for the very popular Japanese section as well 
as the incurved, and with which it depends greatly upon the time the 
buds are taken whether they will prove satisfactory. To treat all the 
varieties upon the same principle will not do, as if this was done and 
the plants were grown on what is recognised as the natural system 
many of the buds would show at most unsuitable dates. What is termed 
the “ crown ” bud is the one generally selected, but if this is taken too 
early the blooms would in the majority of cases prove to be coarse and 
of poor colour. There may be a difference noticeable and required 
between early and late districts, but there is not so great as 
some cultivators lead us to suppose. According to these every district 
almost requires to be studied, and the buds manipulated accordingly. 
But this is not so. I am certain a mean could be struck whieh would 
prove suitable for the majority. 
The time to retard the buds is during the earlier stages of the 
growth, so that by checking them at this time by stopping, the plants 
will be enabled to gain strength. From the shoot so stopped the 
growths are thinned out to one as early as possible, so that the whole 
force is concentrated in the one shoot, and which must be allowed to 
grow and take the natural habit peculiar to Chrysanthemums, which 
are being cultivated for the production of specimen blooms. This 
retarding will not suit all varieties alike, for if the season should happen 
to turn out a late one the crown bud would be thrown too late, and 
which has reference to such varieties as Stanstead White and Avalanche, 
In such cases as this the safer plan is to stop a few, and leave the others 
unchecked. Others require to be stopped the latter part of March, and 
