486 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 3, 1885. 
stands that are regularly seen and judged. Suppose, then, 
in a stand of six incurved blooms the back pair are as fine 
as they can be, and of the value of six points each ; the next 
pair not nearly so large, but worth four points each; the 
remaining pair still smaller, and accorded three points each, 
we have a total of twenty-six points. The stand in com¬ 
petition is so even that the blooms examined individually are 
worth four points each, or a total of twenty-four points. 
Now the question arises, Would it be right to give the first 
prize to the stand that loses in intrinsic merit by two points, 
and the second prize to the stand which wins by that 
number ? I leave the question open for reflection. 
The same rule of judging applies to Pears. If general 
evenness of a collection is to stand before the individual 
merits of the varieties composing it, it will often be necessary 
to stage second-rate specimens of the larger Pears to secure 
a prize, whereas if the first-rate fruits excluded were placed 
in competition with those added, those left out would win 
the prize. There can be no fairer subject for criticism than 
this, and it is one in which nothing but good feeling and 
good fellowship should prevail in any discussion on the 
matter.—A Thinkee. 
REVIEW OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM SEASON. 
Novelties have been brought forward in large numbers during 
the present season, which has been an extra busy one, as exhibitions 
are now more numerous than formerly ; but I do not think there 
has been that general good quality amongst cut blooms as in some 
other years, except in a few instances. I fancy the severe frost of 
September 25th militated against the well-doing of some collections, 
particularly those located in low-lying districts. Those situated on 
more elevated sites escaped the frost somewhat more than others, 
while the roasting summer proved much too trying for the plants 
if at all neglected or where water was scarce. Those believers in 
well-ripened wood I fancy have had cause for rejoicing where ripened 
naturally, not prematurely. The season just past has been suffi¬ 
cient to convince me that well-ripened wood plays a very consider¬ 
able part in the production of high-class blooms. For the benefit 
of those readers who are desirous of adding a few novelties to their 
stock, perhaps already too large, I will mention those varieties that 
came under my notice as being worthy of a place. As the Japanese 
are the largest in number and most generally popular I will name 
them first. 
Belle Paule, a large full bloom with flat, long, drooping florets, 
white clearly margined with deep lilac. This variety was sent out 
last year, and this season has proved quite the best of the new ones. 
It is a tall vigorous grower, and with good treatment sure to 
produce fine blooms. This is a great acquisition. 
Val d’Andorre, which is another of last year’s new ones not 
much known, takes rank as the second best variety that has come 
to the front this season. It is a free robust grower, and is dwarf in 
habit although so strong ; very fine blooms can be produced on 
plants 2 to 3 feet high. It is as invaluable for grouping as for cut 
blooms. The flowers are of large size, having a full centre with 
long reflexed florets, orange red shaded gold. This should be in 
every collection whether grown for exhibition or home decoration. 
L’Adorable, a variety being sent out by Mr. N. Davis, Camber¬ 
well, is quite like the preceding variety inhabit of growth and shape 
of flower. It is of large size, colour dark canary yellow, and 
is sure to come to the front next season. 
L’Ebouriffee, a variety exhibited by Mr. Cannell at the National. 
It is of large size, shape like Criterion, which it resembles except 
in colour, which is of a bronzy gold. This, I think, will prove an 
acquisition. 
Maiden’s Blush.—This Mr. G. Stevens exhibited in splendid 
condition, and was rightly awarded certificates. It is somewhat 
after the Elaine type, except that the florets are longer. It is a 
large full flower of a pleasing shade of colour, which is blush white. 
Madame de Sevin.—One of last year’s new continental varieties, 
amaranth magenta. It is a beautiful colour, which is quite new. 
It is a grand variety for groups or home decoration, or when well 
grown will do for exhibition, but without it is in first-rate condition 
it is too small. 
M. Astorg is a variety that has well borne out what it was said 
to be—a first-rate kind. I look upon it as an improved Elaine, as 
when fully expanded it is nearly white. It has long drooping 
florets, quite a full flower. The length of floret and the drooping 
graceful way they hang as compared to the short, stiff, almost erect 
ones of Elaine renders it a very desirable variety, and in that way 
an improved kind. 
Fernand Feral, which is one of last year’s continental varieties, 
is likely to prove a fine variety, more particularly for the early 
shows. It is a full flower and lasts a long time in bloom. The 
petals are slightly spiral, of a delicate lilac rose. It is of free 
growth, which is not too tall. 
Beaute des Jardins, sent out last spring, is one of the best we 
have for decorative work. It is of dwarf habit, blooms freely, 
while the flowers have a strong violet scent. 
Madame Laing.—A variety well shown by Messrs. J. Laing and 
Co. at the Crystal Palace Exhibition. Florets broad and flat, white 
deeply tinged with deep blush. A deep solid flower. 
La Triomphante, a variety sent out by Mr. Cannell, of great 
promise, a very full flower, with broad reflexed florets, white. 
The following I saw in Mr. N. Davis’s collection at Lilford 
Road Nurseries, Camberwell, which I singled out as being desirable 
kinds :—Jupiter, fine large flower of a brilliant fiery red ; Mons. 
Freeman, one of the broad-petalled section, rosy violet colour ; 
Sir Moses, a bright crimson ; Dr. Barrie, fluted petals of a reddish 
crimson, reverse of petals gold, golden centre, rather thin, but 
effective ; Mrs. Townsend, rich in colour, which is a claret crimson, 
very fine ; Galatea, a large flower, blush’rose in colour. 
New incurved varieties are very few in number ; the only new 
one that promises to be a valuable addition is the bronze sport from 
Queen of England shown in several places by Messrs. J. Carter 
and Co., High Holborn, London. If it remains steadfast in colour 
and form as shown by them it must become a valuable addition to 
the incurved section, as it is so distinct in colour to any of the large 
varieties now in commerce. No doubt Messrs. Carter will grow 
and prove it more fully another year, when it will probably have a 
large demand. 
Lord Alcester has gained in popularity since its introduction 
immensely. I rather think it now beats Jeanne d’Arc. Such a 
good “ doer ” is it that it may be seen in almost every collection. 
One thing I am sorry to see some of the raisers are doing—pushing 
worthless varieties into the market and calling them incurved, 
whereas they are nothing but mongrels, neither Japanese nor in¬ 
curved. I think the object of the raiser is a good one—that of 
getting the bright colours of the Japanese section infused in the 
incurved ; the consequence is the progeny is neither one thing nor 
the other in form, which is or should be the one great object in all 
incurved flowers. 
Reflexed varieties have received a most valuable addition in the 
variety Cullingfordi. I consider this quite the best of the whole 
family either new or old ; tits colour is so striking, the flowers are of 
such depth and substance too, and with such lasting properties. 
This variety is sure to beeome popular. At one time I was in 
doubts whether it would be admissible as a reflexed variety, but 
now I consider that is its proper place. I know it is a hard matter 
to define which are Japanese and reflexed varieties. Some say there 
ought to be a class for reflexed Japanese. That, I think, would 
be more bewildering than ever, because the generality of the 
florets of the Japanese varieties reflex. Take, for instance, Fair 
Maid of Guernsey and Belle Paule, both decided flowers of that 
habit; therefore it would be almost impossible to define Japanese 
reflexed. The true type of a reflexed flower, or what might more 
properly be termed imbricated flowers, is Golden Christine, Emperor 
of China, Cloth of Gold, or Dr. Sharpe, for this reason—the petals 
of those varieties do imbricate, and they are much shorter in the 
centre of the flower than the outer ones. This is not the case in 
some of the Japanese varieties, which some say are or ought to be 
shown in the reflexed section. Take, for instance, Triomphe du 
Nord, and this is spoken of more than any other variety that ought 
to be admissible. In the reflexed classes the petals of that variety 
are much nearer of the same length than the petals of the varieties 
I name as being the correct reflexed type. A true reflexed type 
should be full—scarcely any space between the points of the petals. 
Now in some Japanese varieties there are very wide spaces between 
the tips of the petals, nor is the imbrication perfect through the 
petals being of the same length as each other. I contend that 
Cullingfordii has these requirements. I am prepared to find many 
people differ from me as to the constitution of the various sections 
of the Chrysanthemum, but in this particular instance I am 
unable to define it more clearly. 
Through the kindness of Messrs. J. Laing & Co. I was enabled 
this season to grow a plant of the true Mdlle. Madeleine Tezier, as 
suggested by the Journal, the variety that was supposed to bo 
synonymous with Jeanne d'Arc. Flowers produced by this plant are 
decidedly reflexed, white, delicately tinted with blush, heavier 
round the bottom petals. It is of large size and full centre—quite an 
acquisition to the reflexed class. Distinction is another valuable 
addition to this class, under which heading it was sent to me last 
spring. Some catalogues describe it as a Japanese variety. The 
colour of our variety answers to the description given in the 
