January 19, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
51 
same. This is the time to discuss the subject, so that managcrs'of shows 
can form a just estimate how far their efforts in taking a foremost posi¬ 
tion in offering “cups” are appreciated, or will be when the time of 
exhibition arrives. If good substantial prizes are offered, and the com¬ 
petition is poor or only second rate, not only is the committee disappointed, 
but the public as well. I wonder how many of those who have competed 
for “ challenge trophies ” will do so again ; and it is indeed questionable 
if we have heard the last of those that have been won.— Wm. Baedxey. 
ANNUAL DINNER OF THE PORTSMOUTH CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SOCIETY. 
This took place at the “Royal Albany ” Hotel on Friday, the 13th 
inst. F. Power, Esq., the popular Secretary^, presided, tie vice chair being 
occupied by G. Ellis, Esq.; they were supported by Sir W. D. Kirg, J. 
Moody, Esq., W. P. Winter, Esq., W. Kimber, Esq., R. Barnes, Esq., &c. 
Letters of apology were read from Sir F. Fitzwygram, M.P., The Mayor 
of Portsmouth, and Aldermen Whitcombe and Baker. Amongst the 
successful growers of this favourite flower who were also present we 
noticed Messrs. Kimber, Collins, Molyneux, and Drover, &c. The loyal 
toasts having been duly honoured. Sir W. King proposed in felicitous 
terms the toast of the evening, “ Success to the Portsmouth Chrysan¬ 
themum Show.” He stated this was the third dinner he had attended, 
and it afforded him much ple.asure to briefly notify how each season had 
been more successful than its predecessor, for though the Society had 
pven nearly £130 in prizes at its last Show, yet they still had a balance 
in hand of £121 15s. Id. He was pleased to learn that the Committee 
thought of keeping the next Show open for three days. There were ICO 
subscribers, which no doubt would soon be doubled, and in a few ye.ars 
he was sure they would rival many of the large shows near the 
metropolis. 
The Chairman, in responding to the toast at some length, said they 
had received the support of some of the very best growers in England, 
such as Messrs. Molyneux and Drover, and they intended to try the 
experiment of having the Show open for three days this year, and by 
offering valuable prizes they hoped this new departure would make the 
Society’s next Show more successful than ever. Messrs. Molyneux and 
Drover responded on behalf of the growers, the former remarking that 
he feared the three days would be a mistake ; however, that was for the 
Committee to decide, and suggested the offering of a prize less in value 
than the cup but higher than any money prize the Society has hitherto 
offered. Mr. Drover coincided with Mr. Molyneux’s views in regard to 
the three days, and advocated the Society holding an additional show the 
week before Christmas. Messrs. Barber and Chatfield responded for the 
amateurs. Mr. N. Fuller, Idsworth Park, responded for the Judges. 
Messrs. Power, Collins, and Penfold responded to the toast of the 
Committee. 
CHRY’SANTHEMUM MADAME PAGES. 
Messes. J. R. Peaeson & Soxs send us from Chilwell blooms of 
the white Japanese Chrysanthemum Madame Pages. This variety is 
stated to be invaluable as a late bloomer ; it is a strong grower, reaching 
the height of fi or 7 feet. The plants are grown in 8-inch pots, are 
stopped twice. It is very proliferous, producing on an average eight or 
ten sprays similar to the one enclosed. When disbudded it produces 
as many substantial blooms, which are useful examples for wreaths or 
crosses or any other floral decorations. The variety is evidently a very 
useful one, a small Japanese, free, pure white, and suggestive of another 
good late variety, Princess Blanche. 
SHEFFIELD AND WEST RIDING CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY 
The third annual dinner of the above Society was held on Wednesday 
evening, January 11th, at the “ Clarence Hotel,” High Street, Sheffield, 
and was the largest gathering of the kind the Society has yet held. 
Between sixty and seventy of the patrons and members were present. 
The after proceedings were presided over by C. E. Jeffcock, Esq., Vice- 
President, in the unavoidable absence of the President (Mark Firth, 
Esq.). The usual loyal toasts having been proposed from the chair, 
Mr. Jarvis, one of the Hon. Secs., gave “ The Army, Navy, and Auxiliary 
Forces,” which was responded to by J. P. Jeffcock. Esq., Lieutenant 
19th Hussars. “ The President and Vice-Presidents ” was proposed by 
Mr. John Haigh, and given with musical honours. The Chairman 
responded in a very happy speech, which created much enthusiasm. 
Referring to the rapid growth and success of the Society, he said much 
of this was due to the energy which had displayed in the Society’s 
interests by the Hon. See., Mr.'W. K. Wooticock. He was pleased .also 
to find how thoroughly Mr. AVoodcock’s work had been ajiprcciated by 
the Committee and members of the Society generally, and he had great 
pleasure in presenting to him a purse of gold, which had been subscribed 
by the Committee and members. Air. Woodcock in returning thanks 
said that he felt very dee])ly this latest instance of the' ■ kindness and 
good feeling towards himself, and which had taken hirr y surprise. It 
was not, however, the first by very many of the pro' • of their kindly 
feeling he had experienced, and instanced as a ve striking one the 
fact that when at the recent annual meeting and ection of officers he 
had expressed a wish to resign the office of Hon. 8ec., on account of the 
work pertaining to such office pressing too heavily upon the limited 
time at his disposal, two prominent and efficient memljers of the Society, 
Alossrs. .1. W’..Jarvis and .1. AV. Needham, had at once volunteered to under- 
t.ake the whole of such work as joint Hon. Secs., conditionally that he 
would withdraw his resignation, and which under such circumstances be 
had felt himself bound to do. 
The toast of the evening, “ The Sheffield and A\’’est Riding Chrys¬ 
anthemum Society ” w.as next proposed by E. H. AVake, Esq., who in an 
effective speech which was frequently applauded spoke of the great 
[deasure which the success of the Society had afforded him during the 
past season. It had very largely increased its lists of i)atrons and 
members, and was able to show a balance on the right side financially. 
Air. AY. K. AA’oodcock responded. Air. J. Shipman proposed, “ The 
Patrons and Subscribers,” which w'as responded to by C. H. Firth, Esq, 
The other toasts on the list were, “ The Nurserymen and Non-Competing 
Exhibitors,” proiwsed by Air. G. S. Stocks, and responded to by Mr. AY, 
Shaw. 
“ The Officers of the Society,” proposed by Mr. Allison, responded to 
by Air. J. G. Newsham, and “ The Hostess,” proposed by the Chairman, 
responded to by Air. Jno. Haigh, on behalf and by request of Aliss. 
Teller, the Alanagercss. Special prizes amounting to a total value of 
over £40 were promised during the evening to lx; adderl to the Society’^ 
schedule for the next show, to be held November 16th and 17th, 1888. 
The donors and amounts were :—Air. H. Broomhead (Hon. Treasurer)^ 
silver cup, value £15 15s. ; Mark Firth, Esq. (President), £5 ; C. E, 
Jeffcock, Esq. (Vice-President), £5 ; A. Wilson, Esq., £5 ; Mr. Edge, £2 ;. 
Air. Holden, £1 ; Ditto, £2 ; Mr. Wilkinson, £3 ; Mr. Webster, £3 ;Mr. 
Allison, £1 ; Alessrs. Fenton Bros., Silversmiths, amount not stated. 
NEAV VARIETIES. 
Now —“ when the hurlyburly’s done, when the battle’s lost and won ” 
—is the time to exchange notes on the newer kinds, so that additions may 
be made to an already extended list. Such notes we think will prove 
interesting to and help to guide those among the great army of Chrysan¬ 
themum lovers who cannot visit the exhibitions and see the novelties- 
for themselves. Anything of merit in the way of new flowers is now 
sure to be found at the National and such shows as the Crystal Palace- 
To my mind the most remarkable circumstance connected with the 
incurved class is the rapidity with which the variety Princess, of Teck is 
producing new sports bearing a family likeness. A year or so ago we- 
had but two, it now w'ants that number only added, and they will 
be able to say with the tribe of “ queens,” we are seven. Taking form 
of flower, smoothness of petal, and habit of growth, this handsome 
group of “ Tecks,” were it not for the drawback of coming rather late 
for the shows, would undoubtedly be rivals to that grand type of which 
Lord Alcester is the leading flower. The Princess herself vve compare 
to the most perfect of all Dahlias, Mrs. Gladstone, and who can help, 
admiring a well grown specimen of the Hero of Stoke Newington 1 Airs. 
Norman Davis is a valuable acquisition, and another year, from plants- 
struck in a cool manner and not forced into flower, may not be se 
variable, many of the blooms as shown being as bronzy .-is they were 
golden, and out of character as regards florets. Lord Eversley will be¬ 
sought after by all who desire neatness and delicacy in an incurved 
flower, as also will the latest of the sports, the bronze Charles Gibson. 
The comparatively new bronze Queen of England we saw in rare fornu 
on one occasion this season at a local show. Its florets were as perfectly 
arranged as, and in other respects equal to, a good Lord Alcester ; seen 
in such trim it is a gem. AVith all regard for the skill of the producer 
we should call it the result of one of those unaccountable accidents- 
that we wish would more often occur in our own case, especially with 
that Japanese beauty Belle Paule. For three seasons we have had it 
and grown it a variety of ways, but at yet have not had a presentable, 
flower. This by the way. One “sport” we know of that has appeared 
this season on a plant of Prince of AYales, which, if it retain its character,, 
will be a fine addition. The florets are so multiplied that it reminds one 
of a dark rose-coloured Princess of AYales. In his interesting retrospect, 
page 464, last vol.. Air. Alolyneux writes—“ I am inclined to think that 
some new incurved varieties maybe brought to light during another 
year as the result of this season’s tropical summer. I have noticed that, 
an unusual number of florets have been found in all incurved blooms 
this season, probably the result of extra ripening of the wood. This 
may then be the means of producing new and varied forms in the section 
to which we have so few additions—the incurved. Assuming “ sports ”■ 
are meant we fail to understand how an extra number of florets in 
blooms grown this year can be conducive to the increase of “ new and 
varied forms” duringanother year, and have observed that sports appear 
more frequently on plants grown in a more natural manner than those 
subjected to such “ generous ” culture as is necessary for producing, 
blossoms for exhibition. In this view we are supported by the above 
writer himself, for on page 57 of his book “ Chrysanthemums and their 
Culture” we read—“The present general system of growing Chr 3 'sau- 
themums for the production of large blooms is not favourable for in¬ 
creasing the number of new varieties by sports as the side shoots are 
taken off the plants as they grow, and it is from these side shoots, when 
they are allowed to develope into flowers, that the largest number of 
sports appear.” 
The new Japanese make a goodly list, and among them are improve¬ 
ments that will rank with the very best of the class. The importations 
of Alessrs. Cannell, Swanley, from Japan must be mentioned first. 
Connected with these we are "pleased to know the glaring error whereby- 
the stand of grand flowtrs exhibited by Mr. Alartin, AYest Hill House- 
Gardens, Dartford, was left out of the running for the Jubilee prize at 
the Aquarium Show has been set right. No little comment was causeef 
by the prize cards being placed as they were, and we do not think 
judging by ballot will be very e.xtensively adopted at Chrysanthemunr 
exhibitions. To say the least, it is an unnecessary innovation. 
Edwin Molyneux is a giand flower, quite worthy of its name, 
