Dt'Cittrlaer i, 1S87. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
465 
stances have been large in diameter, but lacking in those two 
important points which go to make an incurved liower perfect— 
depth and finish. There Iras been a considerable amount of rough- 
uess visihle. Three reasons may be advanced to account for these 
defects, hirst, a cold sunless spring, which prevented that free 
giowth so desirable in the production of plants that will perfect 
b.ooms of the highest order of merit. Secondly, the excessively hot 
summer experienced is the cause of much of the roughness iu the 
petals. This has been the cause of so many cross-centred blooms 
met with, particularly in the southern counties of England. To 
p; esent flowers in a perfect manner has been much more difficult 
to the cultivator living in the south than it has been for his more 
favoured brethren in northern counties, for the reason the summer 
weather has not been nearly so trying in the north as in the 
south. I therefore contend that southern cultivators of Chrysan¬ 
themums have been handicapped this season as compared with 
growers residing in the north. The third reason I advance for 
defective blooms is that in some instances the plants were seriously 
affected by the severe frosts which occurred early in the season 
before the plants were safely under cover. Where they were so 
caught perfect blooms could not be expected from such plants ; in 
many instances the centre of the bud was quite blackened. The 
worst placed cultivators were those located in hilly districts where 
night dews are not experienced during the hot months of July and 
August, as they are in valleys or low-lying districts. For the 
simple reason there were few dewy nights in those months the 
plants stood a double chance of being dried to an extent injurious 
to their proper development later on in the season. 
A few remarks on the varieties may not be out of place here. 
As a rule varieties of the Queen type have done very well, although 
somewhat late in development, but the best of this family has un¬ 
doubtedly been Lord Alcester. It has taken more honours for 
premier bloom than all the other varieties together. In my opinion 
no collection is complete without it. Princess of Wales has per¬ 
haps been the most disappointing, for I have not seen once a 
thoroughly representative bloom ; evidently this variety has 
suffered considerably. Jardin des Plantes, the finest of all yellows, 
too, has been conspicuous by its absence in first class form, while 
Jeanne d’Arc, Lord Wolseley, and Prince Alfred have been good. 
Here again the northern growers have an advantage over the south. 
In a late season like the one now passing the former were able to 
use the first (and consequently finest) blooms of the three varieties 
named last ; whereas in the case of south country growers the first 
blooms of those named are generally past, and everyone knows 
what second blooms of such sorts are. Barbara has done well gene¬ 
rally, while Hero of Stoke Newington and Princess Teck have done 
but moderately well. A useful addition to this section is Mrs. 
Norman Davis, a pure yellow sport from Princess Teck. A good 
yellow of this class was much needed. Although those shown at the 
Aquarium were rough, I think this variety is destined to become 
a standard variety, when stock can be secured early in the season. 
The Japanese varieties have been shown in increasing numbers, 
generally throughout the quality has left little to be desired. There 
has been an absence of stale blooms, owing of course to the late¬ 
ness of the season. The colours have been bright and clear, while 
the staging of these has shown a marked improvement generally. 
It is not long since it was a common occurrence to see flowers laid 
flat upon the boards. In such a manner much of their beauty was 
lost. A too low position dwarfs the blooms, while one too high 
renders them thin in appearance, particularly if there is a prepon¬ 
derance of varieties with horizontal florets in the stands. Many 
new varieties have come up to the expectation formed of them late 
last season, and are destined to become standard varieties. Take, 
for instance, Carew Underwood, Mrs. J. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. H. 
Cunnell, Avalanche, Edwin Molyneux, Ralph Brocklebank, and 
Edouard Audiguier ; with such sterling varieties as Madame C. 
Audiguier, Jeanne Delaux, Thunberg, Triomphe de la rue des 
Chalets, Meg Merrilies, and Criterion, while a decided improvement 
-has manifested itself in that splendid variety Belle Paule, which 
•owing to some reason or other was presentable in only a very few 
instances last year. Taking it on the whole, it has been a good 
season for the popular “Japs,” the extreme heat of summer ap¬ 
parently not having exercised any ill effects upon their development. 
This section being much easier of management than the incurved, 
for the reason that form or smoothness of the florets is not of 
nearly so much consequence. 
I do not know that there is anything in particular to chronicle 
relating to the reflexed class. This section does not meet with 
general approbation, being somewhat stiff in appearance, while there 
is a want of colour, many being dull in appearance. It is true 
-Cullingfordi is a useful addition, and so is Amy Furze, but as to the 
classification of this variety there appears to be a difference of 
•opinion. In my opinion flowers of this section have not come up 
to the standard of excellence seen in preceding seasons. There has 
been a want of depth and solidity. Anemone Japanese have ad¬ 
vanced still farther in public favour. Their long graceful guard 
florets lend a charm to them as compared with the prim appearance 
of their older brethren, the older fashioned show Anemone of 
which Gluck or George Sand is a type. Fabian de Mediana still 
stands at the head of this section. This variety has in many in¬ 
stances shown a want of centre, also of colour. Nothing new has 
appeared in this section that I am aware of. A meritorious addition 
was made last year to the ordinary Anemone section—Grand 
d’Alveole, a variety producing large full centred blooms of a pale 
blush, most pleasing in appearance. Fine examples, except in a 
very few instances, have not been seen of the other sorts as in 
some other seasons, therefore it must be admitted that this section 
has suffered somewhat by the tropical weather experienced. Pom¬ 
pons and Anemone Pompons have shown a decided improvement 
generally. Fewer moderate stands have been shown, while in many 
instances those shown have been as near perfection as is possible to 
get without going beyond the limit of what Pompon varieties 
should be. Mdlle. Elise Dordon has maintained the reputation 
which it came out with last year for cutting. For vase decoration 
it is alike a gem as it is for exhibition unrivalled. 
Single varieties have not come to the front nearly as much as 
their merits deserve, owing perhaps to the fact that encouragement 
has not been offered to them by societies in the shape of prizes. 
For vase decoration, associated with Fern or other greenery, they 
have no rivals, so light and graceful are they when well disposed. 
Groups of Chrysanthemums have proved, if possible, more than 
usually attractive, not by their improved excellence, but by the in¬ 
creased numbers. At some exhibitions as many as eleven have 
been staged in competition for the prizes in one class. Plants 
grown for the purpose of grouping show full well what an adaptable 
plant is the Chrysanthemum for a variety of purposes. The method 
of “ cutting down ” is much to be preferred where conservatory or 
exhibition groups are required ; but for the production of high 
class blooms it must not be practised. Specimen plants generally 
do not show any diminution of numbers, whilst the quality has 
perhaps not been quite so good as in some seasons past ; still, many 
excellent collections have been staged. Less severe training has 
been practised with good effect, quality of flowers has been more 
sought after than mere numbers and size of plants, which is a step 
in the right direction. “ Experientia docet,” on page 419, gives 
some capital notes on “winning and losing prizes.” No person so 
quickly assumes an unpopular position in the exhibition world as 
a “ bad loser.” Some men cannot lose peacefully. Such men 
ought never to enter the lists of competitors, of course assuming 
justice is done to them. Mistakes do occur, but they are few 
During the whole of the present season I have not heard a single 
murmur of discontent from exhibitors who have been placed other 
than first, which speaks well for the feeling of the great army of 
exhibitors. Your correspondent pays a very high compliment to 
Mr. C. Gibson as to his manly bearing when taking second position, 
which I can readily endorse, hiving perhaps a better chance of 
judging him in this respect than anyone else. 
I should like to say a few words in conclusion upon the offering 
of prizes by societies. Were it not for the encouragement thrown 
out by Chrysanthemum societies in the shape of valuable prizes tho 
Chrysanthemum would not be nearly so popular amongst exhibi¬ 
tors. Valuable prizes have this year been offered by societies, and 
in most cases such societies have had the best shows. To my mind 
there is no kind of prize offered which is sj likely to increase the 
popularity of any society as that of challenge vases accompanied 
with substantial money prizes. Such prizes create an interest 
second to none in the Chrysanthemum world ; but, again, it is a 
mistake for any society to offer too many even of valuable challenge 
vases. Competitors tire of the tremendous strain which is placed 
upon them for the whole time which the vase is in their possession 
after winning it the first year. Societies know this, and act 
accordingly : therefore it is well to change the mode of offering 
prizes. Challenge vases make societies popular, and will also do 
much towards rendering them unpopular with exhibitors.—E. 
Molyneux. 
TWELVE GOOD PEARS. 
The following twelve varieties of Pears is a suitable selection 
for providing good fruits throughout the season :—Williams’ Bon 
Chretien succeeds best as a pyramid ; Beurre d’Amanlis, pyramid, 
or an east or west wall; Louise Bonne of Jersey, pyramid, on an 
east or west wall, but best on a west wall; Beurre Superfin, pyramid 
or west wall ; when grown as a pyramid the fruit takes on a russety 
appearance, when the flavour is delicious; to my taste it is the best 
Pear of its season. Marie Louise is a good successor to the above, 
and needs no comment, as its merits are well known ; it is good 
