December 2(3, 1849. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
557 
for others. It is excellent for early Potatoes, and full crops of these are 
profitable, while the land is relieved in time for successive crops of 
Turnips, Horn Carrots, Spinach, Lettuce, Endive, Coleworts, Cauli¬ 
flowers, and winter greens generally.] 
The National Chrysanthemum Society. 
The annual dinner of the above Society, held at Anderton’s Hotel, 
Fleet Street, on Thursday evening last, proved a success of a quite 
exceptional character, and one of the largest horticultural gatherings of 
the kind ever held in London. Over 170 members and visitors were 
present, the large hall on the basement of the Hotel being fully occupied. 
The five tables were tastefully decorated with plants, cut flowers, and 
fruits contributed by numerous friends of the Society, and some hand¬ 
some Cordylines, Palms, &c., were supplied by Messrs. Laing & Sons for 
the adornment of the hall and staircase. 
The President (Lord Brooke, M.P.) took the chair shortly after 
6 p.m., and was supported by Sir Guyer Hunter, Sir Edwin Saunders, 
the Rev. W. Wilks, Capt. Molesworth, Mr. Shirley Hibberd, Mr. E. 
Saunderson, Mr. W. Johnson, Mr. McAllister, Mr. R. Ballantine, Mr. W. 
Lowles, Mr. W. Harland, and Mr. C. H. Pearson. 
A long programme of toasts was provided, and the musical depart¬ 
ment, under the superintendence of Dr. Haskins, was a substantial 
addition to the enjoyment of the evening. The customary loyal toasts 
were proposed by the President in admirable terms, his remarks being 
received with loud applause. “The Continued Prosperity of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society ” was next proposed from the chair, and Lord 
Brooke, in the course of an excellent speech, referred to the great ad¬ 
vance that had been made in the culture of Chrysanthemums in recent 
years, and complimented British horticulturists on the success of their 
efforts. He thought, however, there was still one matter in which there 
was room for improvement, and that was in the odour of the blooms. 
He would like to see some sweet-scented varieties raised both for home 
use and exhibition, and he considered it a subject worthy the attention 
of those concerned in the improvement of the plant. As regards 
technical knowledge, he could not of course claim to equal many of 
those in the room, but he would yield to none in the love of plants and 
gardening generally, and he paid a graceful compliment to his gardener, 
Mr. Lister, when he said that much of the interest he felt in the subject 
■was due to his efforts. The celebration of the Chrysanthemum Cente¬ 
nary next year was alluded to, and his lordship concluded with the 
expression of an earnest wish that the Society would continue its 
prosperous career. 
An interesting ceremony was next performed—namely, the pre¬ 
sentation of the medals and the challenge shield offered in competition 
to Chrysanthemum Societies throughout the kingdom. The first of the 
gold medals was presented to Mr. John Laing, who was followed by Mr. 
Henry Cannell and several others ; and on behalf of the Wimbledon 
Society, which had won the challenge shield, Mr. Gibson, who repre¬ 
sented the Society named in the competition, was appointed to receive 
it, and convey it to the successful Society for the year. The Hon. 
Secretary then announced that the whole of the prizes awarded at the 
November Show had been received by the winners, the money prizes 
having been forwarded by letter. 
In replying for the prizewinners Mr. J. Laing said that he was a 
grower of Chrysanthemums forty years ago, and mentioned that the 
only variety then grown and still included in collections was Queen of 
England. Mr. Gibson also replied briefly and to the point. 
The health of the President was proposed by Mr. Jukes and responded 
to by Lord Brooke, many other toasts following, and a centenary prize 
fund being opened a substantial amount was received before the close 
of the proceedings. 
Cutting Down Chrysanthemums, &c. 
I was pleased to see the note by “ J. L. B.” in last week’s Journal 
under the above heading, as it opens up an important subject, and at an 
opportune time, touching as it does upon the two important matters— 
When is the best time to propagate ? and topping to induce timely 
bud formation. So far as my knowledge and observation goes the 
latter practice is annually growing in popularity and general adoption 
amongst northern growers, at least with a very many varieties of 
Japanese. 
I also am of opinion that the first question, relating to propagation, 
is of equal importance as regards obtaining the best bud at the right 
time as is that of topping. I have practised the latter for several 
years and closely watched its effects and results. 
For those two late incurved, Eve and Mabel Ward, I found that 
propagation early in December and topping the first week in May 
had the desired effect. Meg Merrilies and its sports, Boule d Or, 
Duchess of Albany (Jackson), Mr. H. Cannell, Mrs. H. Cannell, 
Gloriosum, Pelican, and other such late Japanese propagated late in 
December and topped middle of May came at the right time. 
Thence onwards each week, throughout May, June, and to the first 
week in July, I have continued to top a few, taking into consideration 
their relative earliness and the condition of the plants at the time, those 
first topped being of course done with the object of hastening bud 
formation by inducing an earlier break than would accrue by waiting 
for the natural break, those topped so late as July being early comers, 
as Comte de Germiny, Edwin Molyneux, Baronne de Prailly, Fredk. 
Marrouch, Gorgeous, &c., and amongst which will, I believe, have to be 
included Laing’s fine new variety Stanstead Surprise. These being 
topped after the July bud had formed and the first breaks commenced 
growing, taking these clear away, and causing the buds lower down to 
start and form breaks, thus retarding the plants at least a fortnight. 
The Teck family are not, I think, benefited by topping, and should be 
propagated not later than December. Nor do I think topping to be 
advantageous to the Queen family, providing they are propagated at the 
right time, and this I believe to be towards the end of January. I hope 
some of our northern friends will continue this discussion. What say 
our friends Messrs. Udale and Garnett? They have for some years 
past experimented and studied this matter closely, and can speak with 
the force of experience. Mr. Morton, too, of Darlington, whose know¬ 
ledge of Chrysanthemums and their culture is second to few, tells me 
he cannot possibly induce his buds to appear generally at the right time 
only by this system of topping.—W. K. W. 
Grouping Chrysanthemums at Shows. 
Commenting upon the remarks by Mr. Castle at page 479, Mr« 
Brown is desirous that Chrysanthemum committees should endeavour 
to fortify themselves against errors and complaints by making the word¬ 
ing of their schedules more explicit and clear before issuing their par¬ 
ticulars for the next season’s guidance. It generally happens that 
committees entrusted with the management of the different Chrysan¬ 
themum Societies throughout the country are usually aware of the 
circumstances best suited to the requirements of their own localities. 
In order to secure good local competition their schedules are compiled 
and worded in a manner best calculated to meet the individual necessi¬ 
ties of local exhibitors, with open classes added, the wording of which 
is generally explicit and clear and based upon broad principles. With 
regard to grouping, the principal topic for argument, doubtless much 
misapprehension exists, although nothing can be more objectionable, as 
remarked by Mr. Castle, than an array of bare stems and stakes around 
the base of these purely Chrysanthemum groups ; but when one is 
supported' by the fact that groups of this nature can be made more 
effective by bringing the Chrysanthemum flowers and foliage to within 
9 inches of the floor level, surely there is something to encourage the 
enterprising exhibitor to exercise his abilities, and endeavour to remove 
the objections at present existing against groups of this class. The 
next principle of grouping, as mentioned by Mr. Brown, is the same as 
adopted by the Hull and East Riding Chrysanthemum Society, and is 
beyond question a more artistic arrangement, and when the schedules 
stipulate, as in their case, a group of Chrysanthemums with foliage 
plants interspersed and arranged for effect in a space of 100 square feet, 
surely nothing can be clearer. 
As to the extent foliage plants should be used in the arrangement of 
such groups, it rests entirely with the exhibitor’s capabilities of know¬ 
ing when he has produced the desired effect, quality depending solely 
upon the materials employed. Mr. Castle suggests a more artistic 
arrangement might be produced by a more extensive use of Ferns, 
Palms, and other decorative plants, with a few Chrysanthemums dotted 
in to give the whole effect. That such an arrangement would merit 
appreciation no one would attempt to deny ; but a system of miscel¬ 
laneous grouping at Chrysanthemum exhibitions would have some dis¬ 
advantages. Valuable plants would be required in the arrangement, 
and when we consider the unpropitious nature of the weather during 
November there would be some risk of loss at a time when the decorative 
requirements at home demand great attention.—J. P. Leadbetter, 
The Gardens, Tranby Croft, HuH. 
Aquarium Notes. 
« are you going to write a report ? ” was the question put to me by 
a friend the other evening. “No,” was my reply ; there are those con¬ 
nected with the staff of the Journal who can do it so much better that I 
did not even venture to suggest it; but although I did not write a 
report I can give a few notes, for I grow some (not for exhibition), an 
endeavour to keep up my acquaintance with the new sorts, and the 
progress and well-being of the Chrysanthemum. There may be nothing 
in these notes—if so, I must apologise for inflicting them on the readers 
of the Journal. 
I suppose it is pretty generally agreed that so far a3 cut blooms were 
concerned the Exhibition was not equal to those of former years but 
on the other hand, the groups of plants in pots were excellent I do not 
think that I have ever seen one equal in point of mem to that set up by 
Messrs. Laing & Son of Forest Hill. There was an excellent m xture of 
Japaneseandincurved varieties ; thecolours were exceedingly well mixed, 
the foliage very full and fresh, and the plants furnished at the 
bottom; there was notan excess of training and altogesther it was a 
most delighful group. In some of the classes there was a painful excess 
S traSinl a practice which 1 think the National would do well to 
discourage. The Chrysanthemum is not an ungainly plant, and it 
cannot d g 0 without some support; but why should it be contorted and 
twisted so as to form an umbrella, a mop, or anything es 
that is what was to be seen at this Exhibition, and indeed at m 
