December 17, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
518 
101 lb?., the largest turning the scales at 26] ozs , another 23 ozs. 
The competition was unusually keen, no less than thirty-two dishes 
being put up ; among them, too, were several fine exhibits of the 
same variety. The tree occupies a position on a 1 ofty wall, having 
a west aspect, and being worked on a Pear stock it grows so freely 
as to require frequent root manipulation. Though but a young 
specimen, it has been removed to fresh stations twice ; but the 
secret of its well-doing, I presume, lies in the fertile nature of the 
soil and the excellent attention bestowed at all seasons. Its roots 
are protected by a thick mulching applied in early spring, and this, 
together with frequent supplies of clear liquid manure in dry 
weather, promotes a vigorous, though at the same time fruitful, 
growth, for I am told it has never yet failed to yield a crop since 
it began to bear. By leaving them on the tree as long as possible 
the supply of this sort is kept up till the end of November this 
year, which for the variety, and taking into account the unfavour¬ 
ableness of the season, might be considered late. 
I never remember witnessing the value of water, as applied to 
open-air trees, more strictly exemplified than Id this case, and 
though many growers would prefer to have perhaps twice the 
number of fruits of a more useful size than fewer of a sensational 
character, yet great credit attaches to the cultivator who can 
secure a first prize from among so many as thirty-two competitors, 
all of whom staged superior produce. The grower referred to is 
Mr. J. Gibson of the Draycot Gardens, Chippenham.—W. S. 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.— Dec. 9th and 10th. 
The early winter Show of the above Society w?.s held last week in 
the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, and takes the place of the one which 
for some years past been held in January. It seems likely to develop 
into an extremely interesting and popular exhibition ; and the one 
referred to was so decided an advance upon the January gatherings 
that the Society has ample justification for continuing the experiment. 
October, November, and January are essentially the Chrysanthemum 
months, and it would be well if the displays could be confined to that 
period. One point was very evident at last week’s meeting, and that 
was the freshness of the blooms shown—a character in which the 
January exhibits have too often been deficient. The competition was 
also very keen in several classes, the first and second prizetakers in par¬ 
ticular in most classes showing blooms so nearly equal in merit that 
the Judges had much difficulty in determining their relative position. 
For twelve blooms of the Princess Teck type several good stands 
were contributed, the best being from Mr. Shoesmith, gardener to 
M. Hodgson, Esq., Shirley, Croydoa, who had excellent solid fresh neat 
blooms of Princess Teck, Charles Gibson, Hero of Stoke Newington, and 
Lady Dorothy. Mr. Peter Blair, The Gardens, Trentham, was a good 
second, Lord Eversley and Mrs. N. Davis being notable in his box, 
Mr. W. G. Gilbert, gardener to B. Le Neve Foster, Esq., Senwick Hall. 
Guist, Norfolk, was third. 
In a class provided for a collection of Chrysanthemum blooms unre¬ 
stricted as to number of varieties, freshness being one of the chief 
features to be considered, Mr. H. J. Jones of the Ryecroft Nursery, 
Lewisham, was awarded first honours for a most tasteful arrangement 
of blooms set up in bunches, with Ferns and Palms to form a bank. 
This was a valuable exhibit in several ways, for it showed what charming 
effects Could be produce! by a well chosen departure from the orthodox 
methods of staging Chrysanthemums. Mr. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, 
Redhill, was placed second for a number of well selected varieties ; the 
same exhibitor securing the first prize for twenty-four bunches of 
Japanese Chrysanthemums. The leading stand of twelve bunches came 
from Mr. Cane, gardener to Miss Smith, King’s Ride, Ascot, very fine 
and fresh ; Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to T. B. Haywood, Esq., Wood- 
hatch Lodge, Reigate, being a close second ; and Mr. Gilbert was third. 
For six blooms Mr. A. Newell, gardener to Sir Edwin Saunders. Fair- 
lawn. Wimbledon Common, was first with admirable examples of Ralph 
Brocklebank, Etoile de Lyon, Stanstead White, and Madame Audiguier. 
Mr. W. A. Searing, The Gardens, Oak Lodge, Sevenoaks, was second ; 
and Miss R. Debenham, St. Peter’s, St. Alban’s, was third ; Mr. 
F. Taylor, gardener to Sir John Lubbock, Bart., High Elms, Farn- 
borough, Kent, had the best twenty-four blooms particularly beautiful ; 
Mr. C. J. Salter contributed the finest twelve blooms, and other suc¬ 
cessful exhibitors were Messrs. C. Cox, Shoesmith, Wells, and Brown. 
Cyclamens were well shown by Mr. T. May, Twickenham, who 
gained first prize in the large collection class. In the amateurs’ section 
for Cyclamens and Primulas the prizes went to Messrs. D White, 
J. Bateman, C. Ings, and A. Newell. Messrs. Cutbush & Sons, Higbgate, 
gained premier honours for a group of foliage and berritd plants, well 
arranged. 
The non-competing exhibits ncluded a handsome display of choice 
Primulas and Chrysan hemums from Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Swanley 
(silver meial). Mr. R. Owen, Maidenhead, had a collection of new 
Chrysanthemums, similar to that at the Drill Hall on the previous day 
(silver meial). Messrs. Pitcher & Manda, Ilextablc, sent numerous fine 
Chrysanthemum blooms, including several novelties ; they also sent a 
group of Cypripediums (silver medal). Mr. N. Davis, Camberwell, con¬ 
tributed some choice late Chrysanthemums. Mr. W. Walker, gardener 
to A. Hearn, Esq., The Elms, Upper Tooting, secured a bronze medal for 
some well grown specimen Chrysanthemums ; while high commendations 
were awarded to Mr. Newell for plants of Epiphyllum truncatum ; and 
to Mr. J. Waldie, gardener to J. Bigwood, Esq., Twickenham, for fine 
blooms of Etoile de Lyon Chrysanthemum. r: — 
NEW CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Japanese. 
(Continued from page 495.) 
The Japanese section afford so much more variety in form and general 
beauty that they are undoubtedly the most favoured. So many people 
object to the round, close ball of the incurved. Besides, the Japanese 
are so much more useful from a decorative point of view, that no wonder 
th' y are appreciated more outside of the exhibition world. What I am 
pleased to note about the present year’s introductions is their improved 
form. We obtain more flowers now of the Belle Paule type, which is at 
once full and graceful in its build. Such varieties as Baronnede Prailly 
and Meg Merrilies are fast being crowded out of the lists in a competitive 
point of view. We do not require sorts that have extreme width only to 
recommend them. We need those that are full and solid, that cannot be 
seen through when placed on the stands, and this quality we have in the 
new kinds now offered. What is equally important is the habit of growth. 
Such sorts as Madame C. Audiguier, which reach the astounding height 
of 14 feet, we do not want repeating. I am especially pleased to find 
that the bulk of this year’s sorts are under 5 feet, which is a step in the 
right direction. 
Viviand Morel (fig. 95).—This is so noteworthy that I have no hesi¬ 
tation in placing it at the head of the whole Japanese faction, new or old, 
which may be considered by some a bold step. The hlooms possess all 
the requirements which go to make perfection even in a race of flowers 
which contains so many forms of beauty. Even objectors to large 
blooms cannot but admire Viviand Morel in spite of its dimensions. I 
have seen blooms which measured 9 inches in diameter and 6 inches 
deep, and this without unduly spreading out the florets. The florets 
droop at the points exactly as they do in Belle Paule, but the great charm 
is in its massiveness, which is devoid of any coarseness, such as quilled 
or unevenly formed florets, as in the case of Etoile de Lyon,for instance, 
sometimes. Some of the florets in Viviand Morel are split or forked, 
which increases its value rather than otherwise. The colour is rather 
difficult to describe. Some call it blush mauve, while blush suffused and 
striped with rose would not be wrong. One thing is necessary to guard 
agamst in securing the best coloured blooms, and that is not to be too 
eager to “ take ” the earliest formed buds, or the petals will be nearly 
white. It is from later set buds that the finest coloured flowers are 
obtained. The habit of growth is of the right kind—3 feet G inches only, 
plants this height giving flowers of the size quoted. It is not an extra 
strong grower either. I have, I fear, covered considerable space in 
describing this charming variety, which has already been awarded pre¬ 
mier prize as the finest Japanese in the show many times this season, 
which speaks well of it; therefore I could not do it justice in a meagre 
description. Another point in its favour is the free manner in which it 
throws up cuttings, which is totally unlike many varieties. 
[The illustration was prepared from a photograph furnished by 
Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, Chilwell, and faithfully depicts the chief 
characters of the variety. Mr. N. Davis, Camberwell, who has had 
some fine blooms of the variety, and has helped considerably to bring 
it into public notice, states that it was raised by M. Louis Lacroix, 
and formed one of his set sent out for 1890. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, 
Forest Hill, exhibited fine blooms at the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
meeting on October 28th, 1890, when it receive! an award of merit, 
and it was also honoured at the National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
meeting on the following day.] 
Mdlle. Marie Iloste. —Next in point of quality come3 this variety 
It has broad flat florets, quite of the reflexed type of Japanese, but con¬ 
siderably too large to be strictly classed as one of that section, which in 
my opinion ought to take Elaine as a type. Flowers of Mdlle. M. 
Hoste measure quite 8 inches across when fully developed, and is quite 
full and solid in its build. When developing the points of the florets 
curl up a little, which passes off with age ; the colour is creamy white, 
with the faintest tinge of blush. 
Florence Davis. —An English seedling from Mr. N. Davis of great 
promise ; the florets are long, strap shaped, exceptionally even in width 
their whole length ; the points incurve slightly until fully expanded. As 
the flower develope3 the green centre passes to lemon, and finally to 
white, which is the natural colour when fully expanded, It is a full 
solid flower, and deserving of extended cultivation. 
Gloire de Rocker. —As is now well known this is a seedling raised in 
Algiers from an English plant of Val d’Andorre, which it resembles in 
its growth. I regard this as most promising ; the habit is dwarf w. L h 
stout foliage, the blooms large, and with great depth and solidity ; tne 
colour—bright orange amber, flushed crimson—is pleasing. 
Alb ric Lunden. —A Japanese reflexed order, being full and solid. The 
colour is remarkable—deep crimson amaranth—and for brightening the 
si an Is this variety is quite first rate. 
