December 17, 1391. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
515 
twelve blooms of Mrs. Alpheus Hardy which won the first prize were 
stated to be undoubtedly the finest twelve blooms of this variety seen in 
America. 
A distinct feature of the New York Exhibition was the enormous 
display of cut blooms in vases, as will be seen from the following 
extract from the report of the Exhibition :—“ The display of vases, with 
cut blooms with stems not less than 18 inches, was the most gorgeous 
feature of the Show. That this superiority over the flat displayed 
blooms was understood by the public was very evident from the crowds 
•that surrounded the tables on which they were displayed. The tables 
were unfortunately too high to show the flowers to the best advantage. 
The vases provided for their reception were of the most beautiful and 
costly ware, and some idea of the magnitude of the display will be 
gained by considering that nearly 3000 of these valuable vases were used 
for the reception of Chrysanthemums, Roses, and Carnations, in addition 
to the glass ware used.” 
The question arises, Can we not do something in this way to add a 
new feature of interest to our Chrysanthemum shows, and also in other 
ways showing examples of the use of the Chrysanthemum in indoor 
decorative work? There is certainly a great formality about our present 
style of showing all Chrysanthemum blooms ; and whilst it may still 
be desirable to keep to the old system for exhibiting the prize blooms, 
very much may yet be done to greatly interest so many who know little 
or nothing about the individual merits of a flower, but who do take an 
interest in any artistic work in floral decorations.—W. D. 
Seedling Chbysanthemdms at the Floral Nursery, 
Maidenhead. 
On paying a visit to Mr. Owen a few days ago, I was surprised to 
find such a variety of English raised seedlings still flowering in his 
houses. Mr. Owen has the past year or two proved most successfully 
the possibility of raising beautiful new Chrysanthemums from seeds of 
his own growing, and on the day of my visit I found him busy distributing 
the pollen amongst his plants, which for seeding purposes are grouped 
together in a specially warmed and dry house. Out of one thousand 
seedlings of last year several were selected and grown this season to prove 
their true character. The variability of the Chrysanthemum from seed 
is very peculiar. For instance, a seedling from the incurved John 
Lambert was a beautiful yellow Japanese ; and a seedling from Sarah 
Owen, probably crossed with some other kind, produced an incurved, 
which appeared likely to prove a rival to Pink Venus. 
One of the best then in bloom was a Japanese seedling of this year. 
It carried but one flower of large proportions, about 7^ inches in 
diameter, the florets broad and incurved, twisted and hooked at the 
points. The colour is of a deep reddish bronze, the florets lined with 
yellow, with yellow tips. It was a seedling from Sarah Owen, and has 
been provisionally named Robt. Owen, and if on propagation it con¬ 
tinues constant to its present form it will be a great acquisition in this 
class. 
In Viscountess Hambleden we have a pink blush Japanese, already 
certificated, a seedling from Miss Anna Hartzhorn. Mrs. T. A. Soaulding 
is another Castle Hill seedling from E. Audiguier, rosy carmine with 
white ground, shading off to nearly white with age. William Tunning- 
ton, of which there were several flowers open, is a large and distinct 
Japanese of a reddish chestnut colour, with a golden centre, the back of 
florets lined yellow. Atlantic, a seedling from Mrs. Falconer Jameson, 
long strap-shaped florets, yellow splashed with red. Budget is another 
distinct seedling from Mrs. Falconer Jameson, reflexed, florets yellow 
and bronze, striped with crimson on the upper side. 
Beauty of Castlewood and Sarah Owen are free seed-bearers, and 
several seedlings promise to be distinct, and will be grown another year. 
Yellow Avalanche, a seedling from Avalanche, good yellow shading to 
primrose with age, the growth and foliage the exact counterpart of its 
parent. Another seedling from the same is of a blush pink, the 
growth and habit similar to Avalanche. A beautiful white seedling of 
last year is very similar to Florence Davis, also having a slightly green 
centre before it is fully expanded ; it promises to be even finer than 
that good variety as they appear growing side by side. 
Of American varieties Miss Lizzie Cartledge was in good form, flower 
large, with long reflexed florets of a deep purplish-pink colour, with a 
silvery reverse ; it has been certificated this season by the N.C.8. Pre¬ 
sident Harrison and Mrs. F. A. Spaulding are two incurved Japanese, 
the latter bright nankeen yellow, the reverse of the florets rosy salmon, 
very distinct and pretty. Mrs. J. S. Fogg, a reflexed chrome yellow, 
with long florets and good dwarf habit. 
Of incurved varieties Matthew Russel, a sport from Princess of Wales, 
was certainly distinct from Mrs. Coleman as seeu growing alongside 
that variety, the lower part of the bloom being of a deep rose colour, 
with a pale yellow centre. Rivelyn, a sport from Mrs. N. Davis, which 
originated here, is another of somewhat similar colour, golden bronze, 
with a shade of rose, centre of flower clear yellow.—C. H. 
Dates and Schedules for 1892. 
From the advertising columns of the Journal I learn that several 
societies have already fixed the dates of their exhibitions for next year. 
This is a step in the right direction, as it affords other societies an oppor¬ 
tunity to make such arrangements as to avoid clashing with their 
neighbours in the fixture. Nothing is gained by deferring the settle¬ 
ment of dates for some months after the new year has been ushered in, 
as I note some societies do. I shall hope to hear of the early issue of the 
prize schedules which would be a commendable step and one to be 
appreciated by exhibitors, especially where any society contemplates 
making great changes in the composition of their prize list. Cultivators 
then have no excuse to make if their arrangements are not satisfactory 
when the exhibition season of 1892 comes round. I have seen classes 
scantily filled where previous schedule arrangements had been much 
altered and no notice given of such to the regular exhibitors until within 
three or four months of the date when the prize lists were issued. How 
can exhibitors possibly cope with such dilatory proceedings on the part 
of committees 1 The principal classes may necessitate obtaining 
additional varieties of Chrysanthemums to compete on equal terms with 
others. I am aware that some societies are dependent upon circum¬ 
stances over which they have no control before they can allct the 
amount of their prizes. Where committees are not hampered in this 
way they will earn the thanks of competitors if they make early arrange¬ 
ments to issue their prize list, and they will themselves have the 
satisfaction of knowing that, should failure occur, the fault is not in the 
late issue of their prize schedules.—E. M. 
Chrysanthemum Mrs. Simpkins 
This is a peculiar variety, and though it is not likely to possess much 
value to exhibitors, it will prove an interesting addition to many 
collections where Chrysanthemums are grown for home u:e. When 
shown at the December meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society by 
Mr. Simpkins, gardener to R. 1. Measures, Esq., Cambridge Lodge, 
Camberwell, it attracted some notice, and an award of merit was 
granted for it. The blooms are globular in form, of the size shown in the 
engraving (fig. 94), the florets being pale lemon yellow, very narrow, 
and curiously cut and forked near the points. It seems to be of compact 
habit and free. 
Mr. Simpkins writes :—“ This Chrysanthemum mentioned was not 
sent to us direct, but we had it with bulbs and Japanese Maples from 
Mr. William Gordon of Twickenham. The flowers have been very 
