348 
[ April 26, 1888. 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Short was first. For Roses Mr. J. Garrett, Stocksfield, was first. For 
Show Pansies Mr. Thos. P>attensby, Axwell Park, was first, and for 
Fancies Mr. E. Bailey, Sunderland, was first. Seven epergnes were 
staged, which were all exceedingly tasteful in their arrangement. Mr. 
\V. R. Armstrong, florist, Newcastle, was first with a graceful epergne. 
In the top tier was Dendrobium nobilc, Spirmas, light Epacrises, Lily of 
the Valley, and Lapageria rosea and alba, drooping over, suspended by 
wire. The base was not too heavy, evenly balanced with coloured 
flowers, and all from the top tier draped with Asparagus plumosus. 
Mr. A. Methven was second, and employed with much effect Orchids, 
consisting of Cattleya Mossise, Dendrobium Wardianum, Odontoglossum 
Alexandras, and Sobralia macrantha, Mr. Dickerson, Thirlwell, Shotley 
Bridge, was third. Much comment was expressed at the decision of the 
Judges. In the corresponding class Mr. A. Methven was first; Mr. 
Thos. Battensby second with similar arrangements to those already 
described. Table decorations form a considerable feature at the Spring 
Exhibition. In this class six competed, and in the other seven. 
With a hand bouquet Messrs. W. Perkins & Son, Coventry, were 
first; Miss Emily Armstrong, Newcastle, second with tasteful arrange¬ 
ments, but rather large for any lady to carry. Messrs. Perkins & Son 
were also first with a bridal bouquet. Ladies’ sprays or coiffeurs are new 
to Newcastle, but produced a most spirited competition, Messrs. Perkins 
taking the first position. Of buttonhole bouquets about thirty were 
staged. Mr. James Hewitt, Newcastle, was first with a simple arrange¬ 
ment, consisting of Marechal Niel Rose, Myosotis, and Euphorbia 
splendens. Not for competition were stands of decorative plants from 
Messrs. Wm. Fell & Co., Hexham ; Adamson Bros., florists. Rye Hill ; 
J. Jennings, George Place, Newcastle ; and Mr. Thos. S. Ware, Hale 
Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, exhibited a splendid collection of Narcis¬ 
suses, including twenty-eight varieties, 146 bunches, and occupied a 
space 40 feet long. Bicolor Horsfieldi, Pallidus praecox, Citrinus 
Incomparabilis, auratusfl.-pl.,Cernuus,and Cernuus plenus, Maximus, Sir 
Watkin, Odorus, and Lincolnshire Yellow. 
The financial success lias been greater than ever was known before, 
the sum realised for the two days being £223, which must be gratifying 
to the Secretary, Mr. Gillespie, and the Treasurer, Alderman Thos. 
Gray, and Committee. 
JAPANESE REFLEXED CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
The long-talked-of division of the Japane.se into sections has at 
last been accomplished, at least as far as one sub-section is concerned ; 
and as prizes are offered by the N.C.S. for blooms of these in a separate 
■class at the November Exhibition the sub-Commitiee appointed ha' e 
done well to publish the names of the varieties that have obtained the 
majority of votes. Many different opinions will no doubt prevail on this 
subject, and surprise be evinced to see the varieties Jeanne Delaux, 
Griterion, and Val d'Andorre included in the list. It is certainly 
■difficult in some cases to know where fo draw the line at a reflexed 
Japanese, weak or strong cultivation making all the difference in some 
of them ; but after this experiment 1 should like to see other sub¬ 
divisions attempted another year, and prizes offered for twelve broad 
petalled varieties, which w’ould include such as Comte de Germinj', 
Edwin Molyneux, C. Orchard, Sam Henshaw, Lady Lawrence, Mrs. H. 
Cannell, and Mrs. Wheeler, Japonaise, Madame C. Audiguier, Mr. 
Cannell, &c.; and fur twelve laciniated varieties, which would include 
those with divided florets, as Meg Merrilies, Ralph Brocklebank, 
W. G. Drover, Macaulay, Laciniatum, and Album Fimbriatum ; and also 
for twelve with tas.sclled or twisted florets, which would include Mdlle. 
Lacroix, Agrement de la Nature, Mons. H. Elliott, Duke of Berwick, 
Mrs. Mahood, and Belle Paule. The type of the reflexed Japanese, 
I think, should be varieties with short but regular reflexing or 
erect florets, w'hich do not twist or curl; Elaine, Triomphe du 
Nord, and La Nyraphe are good types of the old varieties, but 
there are many of the newer varieties which when they became better 
known would be grown to be included in this section, varieties with 
lovely tints and shades of colour which would be lost to cultivation 
if the competition was always confined to the one section, as now, when 
large flowers that well cover the board is the chief aim. It is for this 
reason that I look with favour on this sub-division of the Japanese 
section, and the four sections I have named would include nearly all the 
types, but the larger classes would of course always retain the doubtful 
■ones ; but there need be no disqualification of varieties. Exhibitors 
should be allowed to exercise their own judgment, and those that come 
nearest to the stipulations would of course be considered the most 
meritorious. It might be considered a tax on private growers to cultivate 
■so many varieties, but the trade, which includes many more exhibitors 
than formerly, would look after the sub-sections if private growers could 
not, and in consequence many more beautiful varieties which would lae 
highly prized by the floaver-loviiig public, and grown as decorative 
varieties on account of their distinct character and colour, would be 
brought under public notice than would otherwise be if competition is 
confined to the larger varieties only.—C. Osch.AED. 
The list of these Chrysanthemums which was published in the last 
issue of the Journal avill cause some comment, and perhaps some con¬ 
fusion. Take for instance Jeanne Ddlaux, Criterion, M. Astorg, and Val 
d’Andorre. These by the list given are admissible in the new class, 
and can, of course, be shown in the ordinary Japanese class as well. 
The sorts named are very likely indeed to be found good enough to go 
into the twelve ilistinct varieties of Japanese in the large class at 
Sheffield. Now the question is, Would either of those named be 
admissible in the class quoted ? We have then one variety, possibly 
more, staged three times in one cla.ss. There is no reason why this 
should not be done. I think this is where the confusion is likely to 
occur ; some growers will think they are admissible, and others not. 
My opinion is that if a Japanese reflexed class were wanted at all the 
varieties should be so arranged that theyTOuld only be shown in that 
class. I fail to see how Val d’Andorre, for instance, can be classed 
with Elaine with a view to make a distinct stand of Japanese refiexed. 
Take again Criterion, which was awarded the premier prize for Japanese 
variety last year at Kingston, and is staged in nearly all stands, large or 
small, in ordinary Japanese classes. 
If the list as given is to be binding it should be stated whether or 
not the same variety can be staged in the same class in both the 
Japanese and Japanese reflexed sections. This would be a guide to all 
persons concerned who intend to exhibit or who do not. By this means 
matters would be simplified.— A Yoekshireman. 
[It was clearly stated last week that “the varieties named as 
Japanese reflexed are only excluded from the true reflexed class, they 
can be shown in all the Japanese clas.ses as before.” This rule was 
adopted to prevent the confusion our correspondent fears.] 
The Committee of the N.C.S. acted wisely in issuing the select list 
of the Japanese reflexed Chrysanthemums, and that has placed the 
matter before intending exhibitors as plainly as possible. The majority 
will find the first twelve varieties sufficient, and I shall try to make up 
a stand from them for one of the Society’s shows.—A Sukeey Geowee. 
LATE FLOWERS OF BELLE PAULS. 
I HAVE sent two blooms of Belle Paule Chiwsanthemum mth 
various sized buds for you to notice, not for exhibitions, but as a late- 
flowering variety. The cutting I had from Mr. Cannell was inserted on 
February 8th, 1887. The plant commenced flowering in the early part of 
December with good blooms, and has continued flowering ever since. We 
have thirty blooms open and various sized buds. The plant is in a D-inch 
pot. and the stem at the base is 4 inches round.— W. Dray. 
[The blooms sent were rather darker in colour than they are usually 
seen earlier in the year, with the purplish hue not confined to the margin 
of the florets. They are of moderate size, and undoubtedly useful at this 
time of year.] 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN APRIL. 
I RECEIVED a few days since, by the courtesy of my friend Mr 
Kipling of Knebworth, a box of Chrysanthemum blooms, which have, I 
confess, fairly astonished me both in regard to their size, quality, fresh¬ 
ness, colour, and general excellence. I have long shared the oft-expressed 
opinion that we do not require Chrysanthemums at this so.a.son of the 
year, and that after, say February, they should be eliminated from our 
lists of cut flowers until September, even then giving the autumn queen 
a full six-months reign. With these lovely flowers, however, before me, 
I am compelled to acknowledge that they would be a valuable acquisi¬ 
tion at any period of the year, and for table decoration especially. I 
write now, not as an over-zealous enthusiast, but simply as one who 
recognises the value of pood and suitable flowers of any sort. I venture 
to say that any decorative florist would endorse my views in regard to 
the usefulness and beauty of these flowers, and no matter what season 
of the year, would look upon them as an acquisition. 
The varieties principally are Belle Paule, Etoile du Midi, Kiempfer, 
and Madame Cabrol. Mr. Kipling gives the preference to Ilelle Paule 
for freeness, surencss, and general adaptability for late cutting, and 
certainly the flowers of that variety he sends me fairly warrant his 
opinions. They are not pale as might be supposed, but have a high 
flush of colour on each petal. The florets are stiff and have a good sub¬ 
stance, and although they are grown naturally, and so have four or five 
flowers on a truss, the leading flowers are 5 inches over with good full 
centres. The varieties sent form a complete bouquet in themselves, in 
colours from the'deep bright crimson of MM. Thibaut et Keteleer, or some 
very similar variety, to Belle Paule’s rosy purple hue, and to the orange 
and amber of Etoile du Midi and Kannpfer, &c., a truly lovely con¬ 
trast. 
Mr. Kipling has achieved much in the production of these blooms, 
and it would be most interesting to know his exact procedure. He 
informs me he has up to this date sent a box of similar flowers to Paris 
each week for Lady Lytton, who is a great admirer of Chrysanthemums 
and a patroness of our N.C.S., and that from the present condition of 
his plants he considers it as almost a certainty that he will continue to 
cut a similar supply until the summer sorts show colour, thus spanning 
the whole twelvemonths with cut Chry.santhemums, a truly remarkable 
achievement for any single establishment.— tViLLi.-tM Holmes, lion. 
Sec. National Cliri/.ninthemum Socicfi/. 
