472 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f December 3 , 1891. 
quantities of these plants and flowers are grown for market purposes. 
When paying a visit to Mr. Edward Bochford’s great establishment at 
Cheshunt I was shown, in addition to the scores of vineries and the 
tons of Grapes, a series of houses was devoted solely to Chrys¬ 
anthemums. Amongst them were three span-roofed houses, each 
260 feet long and 30 feet wide, filled with Fair Maid of Guernsey, pre¬ 
senting a perfect foamy sea of white flowers such as probably few have 
seen. It would be impossible to estimate the number of flowers and 
buds. It seemed quite safe to talk about millions with such an array 
before us Then, too, there were other houses of Source d’Or, Boule de 
Neige, Belle Jaune, and Lady Trevor Lawrence, enough, as one might 
well suppose, to stock the world. Yet this is only one of three in the 
same district, and some of them have even more than this. It is 
referred to here chiefly with the object of showing what a wonderful 
demand there must be, because market growers cannot afford to waste 
time and space on plants that will, not sell readily. 
So many methods of employing Chrysanthemums are available that 
it will only be possible to touch upon a few of the principal, and first 
amongst them is the grouping of the plants for conservatories, rooms, or 
at exhibitions, and the general arrangements at the latter. Admirable 
as many of the shows are, there is a certain uniformity, becoming almost 
monotonous to those who visit many shows, that cannot be entirely 
avoided ; but it is strange that so few attempts are made to introduce 
anything novel in the classes or arrangements, with the exception of a 
few challenge vases. 
A correspondent has favoured me with the description of a Chrysan¬ 
themum Show in New York. The arrangement of the Chrysanthemum 
plants with backgrounds of crimson-tinted Oak trees, Hemlocks, Spruce, 
and Irish Junipers, was extremely tasteful, suitab e, and effective. 
From the balconies of Cosmopolitan Hall to the floor these trees were 
spread out in a trellis, and at intervals platforms were raised, on which 
the bush plants were placed—those of the Chinese type one side of the hall, 
and the Japanese opposite. Through the centre of the building were 
large oval parterres of plants, with specimen Palms and other decorative 
foliage massed in a large bed near the west end of the buildiDg, where 
the Japanese garden was laid out. As viewed from the balcony above, 
all the effects in the ball were irregular and informal; there were no 
straight paths, but it seemed a maze of the fleecy blossoms—a zig-zag of 
patterns—a crazy quilt of colour and confused devices. 
One of the best features of the exhibition was the entire transforma¬ 
tion of the hall by the chaDgirg about of the plants. A re-arrangement 
of the foliage plants was the first move made. They were taken from 
their massings and placed singly among the Chrysanthemums, or in 
small groups; the effect was to heighten and add a fantastic grace. 
When the Judges had made their decisions and there was no longer a 
need for keeping the classes of plants together, the competitive arrange¬ 
ment was changed to a grand ornamental display. All the golden 
Chrysanthemums were ma-sed in the centre of the hall. The amaranth- 
tinted ones were put together, and so were the whites, the crimsons, and 
the red-and-yellow variegated lot that looked like burning bushes, so 
flame-tipped were the petals. The electric lights were lowered, so they 
rested like meteors among the plants. An exquisite effect was made 
with Dracaenas, lifted above white flowers, with a ball of light which 
seemed tossed up from its fountain-like leaves. 
This arrangement, which is the system adopted at most continental 
shows, is scarcely practicable here, but groups of similarly coloured 
varieties might be employed. Here is another suggestion from the same 
source. The cho'cest standard plantsanelthe new Japanese seedlings were 
arranged in the Japanese garden, where there were two bamboo summer¬ 
houses profusely hung with curios—fans, parasols, umbrellas, scrolls, 
and panels. Flowering plants were twined in and out of these structures, 
and each side of them were quantities of cut flowers, baskets richly 
filled with bloom, and pots ot growth on which but one flower had been 
brought out. The latter flowers were of enormous size and remarkable 
shapes and colours. Most of them were named after Japanese celebri¬ 
ties. A native Japanese sat in each summer house, where he painted 
fans and screens, which were sold at reasonable prices. 
In grouping Chrysanthemums in conservatories or houses it is seldom 
that attempts are made to form the smooth even surfaces of blooms too 
often seen at shows, the only merits of which are the variety and 
richness of colour and handsome blooms they present to ready inspection. 
Arranged with some freedom beautiful effects can be produced, aDd it 
has been well shown at Brighton that when classes are provided for this 
style a good competition can be obtained, and a most pleasing break 
from the uniformity so preva ent in such groups. 
Dwarf plants are indisf ensable for groups of all kinds if only for the 
front rows, and Mr. Orchard was at one time so successful in this that I 
quote his system of culture as communicated to my “ Chrysanthemum 
AnnualMany cultivators adopt a style of pinchirg the young 
plant after it is established in a 60-pot, which checks the height, and then 
they pinch again in June. That is a good plan to get medium-height 
plants from 3 feet 6 inches to 7 feet. Others strike them later and pinch 
once, but the objection to these two plans is—in the former case the 
young plant is checked just at a time when he ought to be making 
roots to establish a good foundation ; and to the latter, the plants never 
gain substance enough in asho;t season of growth from the cutting to the 
flowering. 
The only way to get the plants dwarf is to cut them hard back from 
3 to 6 inches the first fortnight in June, beginning with the later flower¬ 
ing varieties, doing a few every day. It requires some boldness to do it 
at first. It seems such a sacrifice, for up to that time they should have 
j had the care and attention of plants required to be grown on. To be 
successful, it is necessary they should be then strong, healthy, and well- 
established in 48’s or 32’s, with plenty of good healthy roots. They will 
bleed a little, but by being kept rather dry a day or two beforehand, and 
only a slight sprinkling afterwards, they will not lose much. 
Care will be necessary to thin the shoots to the required number, and 
support them with thin sticks, or they will be easily broken. Transfer 
them into their largest pots as soon as the growths are fairly started, say 
from 4 to 6 inches long, and feed with liquid or artificial manure as soon 
as the roots reach the sides of the new pot and are properly established. 
Take the first bud that shows, and the height of the plant then corre¬ 
sponds with the natural growth from break to break. 
Formal banks of beauty are not so desirable as light free arrange¬ 
ments, and when other plants are utilised for the groundwork or margin 
Chrysanthemums can be employed to excellent purpose for conserva¬ 
tories or in any similar way. As cut flowers the value of the Chrys¬ 
anthemum is extremely great; in wreaths, bouquets, sprays, baskets and 
vases charming results are readily produced when a little taste ia 
exercised, and the tendency to form heterogeneous mixtures of colours 
is avoided. 
Whenever Chrysanthemum flowers are employed in this way the 
shades of one colour should be associated as far as possible. Fure white 
is best alone in some cases, but yellow, orange, and bronze go well 
together. Bronze and light and dark red, the various shades of pink and 
pale red or crimson harmonise, and delicate pink tints also go well with 
white. The Japanese varieties are generally superior for this purpose,, 
the incurved of the Mrs. G. Bundle type, when not disbudded, produce 
charming little flowers that can be utilise 1 in many ways. 
At most shows prizes are offered for hand bouquets, to be composed 
solely of Chrysanthemums, with their own foliage and Fern fronds, but 
very rarely are any to be met with that could honestly be admired.. 
They are far too flat and closely packed to be pleasing, and in many 
instances a most extraordinary mixture of colours completely spoils the 
effect. If those who make them would be content to use fewer colours 
and not wedge the blooms together in a mass, that would be a step in 
the right direction. Plenty of moss worked in among the stems prevents 
the flowers from crowding together when bound, while showing up 
between the latter there ought to be some healthy Chrysanthemum- 
foliage, as well as neat sprays of the Pompon Snowdrop springing up 
well above the rest. Wire frameworks are objectionable, and there is no 
reason why presentable bouquets cannot be made without them. Much 
that has been advanced about bouquets also applies to the class for vases. 
Arched stands and small flat dishes with tiny trumpet centres are 
altogether unsuitable for the purpose, it being hardly possible to 
effectively fill them with Chrysanthemums. What do answer well—and 
those who use them never fail to win a prize—are tall, trumpet-shaped 
vases, without any dish of any kind at the base. This ought to be boldly 
filled, that is to say, only fine blooms, with long stems and an abundance 
of good foliage attached should be used, the incurved varieties being 
quite as effective as the Japanese. Large Fern fronds, intermingled, 
with wreaths of Ivy trailing down, completes a noble vase. In order to 
be able to lightly fill these large vases it is frequently necessary to fill 
them with short sprays of Box, this serving to hold the flowers in any 
position. 
It has been urged against the Chrysanthemum that it is either scent¬ 
less or possesses such an unpleasant odour that it cannot be used in 
rooms. To meet these fastidious declaimers, it has been discovered that 
certain varieties possess a slight delicate and agreeable fragrance. Some 
of the best of them are Progne, a purplish reflexed, the scent of which- 
has been not inaptly compared to Violets ; Dick Turpin, an Anemone 
Pompon, with rosy red ray florets and a yellow centre ; and Mrs. 
Langtry, single, of a pale blush or pinkish colour, one of the most use¬ 
ful decorative varieties that can be grown. The single varieties are all- 
very valuable, and yield such an abundance of choice, varied, graceful 
flowers, that they ought to be extensively grown wherever cut flowers- 
are required in large numbers. 
Perhaps I shall be expected to say something about Chrysanthemums- 
for exhibition, but this subject has been so frequently and fully treated 
upon, and Mr. Molyneux’s excellent little book is within everybody’s 
reach, so I shall confine myself to a few general hints. One very import¬ 
ant point at starting is to secure sturdy, well developed, but not too 
luxuriant cuttings, as they lay the foundation of sound plants. It often 
happens that novelties are so rapidly propagated that the cuttings 
become much weakened unavoidably, and the grower will find it 
a difficult matter to restore vigour to such plants. One friend of mine 
always has stock plants out of doors from which to obtain his cuttings 
(except in severe weather), simply because he has proved that these 
hardy though small shoots, provided they are not stunted, usually 
develop into the best plants. From the middle of December to the 
middle of January is a good time for striking the cuttings, but the actual 
time to a week or so is of less importance than the subsequent treatments 
With the Chrysanthemums, as with everything else, the man who has- 
the greatest interest in his work, the most persistent perseverance to 
overcome difficulties, and who exercises the closest observation respecting- 
all details, is the one who is most likely to succeed, and success with such 
a useful plant is something of which anyone may well be proud. 
Single-handed Gardeners . 
In your impression of November 19th a writer asked why I showed 
in the single-handed gardeners’ classes at Putney, and my reply is that 
anyone can show in the classes above him. A cottager can show in the. 
