March 6, 1890. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
201 
generalities will not suffice, and it is highly desirable that the methods 
proposed be such as will merit the good-will and confidence of the 
affluent who require the services of gardeners of proved respectability 
and competency. We think it advisable not to insert any more letters 
on this subject at present. Any that reach us on or before next Monday 
morning will be placed in the hands of men in sympathy with the 
object in view, and who are at the same time not without experience in 
organisation]. _ 
Your correspondent “ E. M.” says, “ I hope that the day is not far 
distant when a system of national insurance for workers will be inaugu¬ 
rated on the same principle as that which has recently become law in 
the German Empire.” I have studied this problem of self-help and 
dependence for some years, as practised by our large friendly societies 
in this country, therefore 1 was much interested in this colossal German 
scheme, but after reading and carefully studying its lines, honestly own 
that to my limited vision, when compared with our own voluntary 
societies, its so-called great advantage vanishes.—A. C., A.O.F. 
Modern Chrtsanthemum Culture. 
I MAT be considered a very feeble defender of the Chrysanthemum, 
not being a very important grower, yet I rank amongst the oldest, 
having taken “ the fever ” in a mild form when living at Calderstone in 
the days that Mr. Broome came from the Temple Gardens to St. George’s 
Hall, Liverpool, to show his trained plants and teach their culture. 
Unfortunately most gardeners at the present time are carrying the “ last 
straw ” in connection with labour, consequently have none to waste in 
cultivating that which is not really required ; and in common with many 
other gardeners I have not yet met an employer who looked upon the 
Chrysanthemum with any special degree of appreciation, therefore have 
not had the inducement to sacrifice the more important occupants of the 
gardens for the sake of the Chrysanthemum. Neither have I seen traces 
of others doing so, but have seen several instances quite the reverse, as 
may be found at Impney, Heckfield, Parkfield, Trentham, and many 
other places famous not only for the Chrysanthemum, but where every¬ 
thing else were correspondingly well done. The above may partly 
relieve Mr. Thomson of his anxiety in this respect. 
I may now confirm his remarks respecting the cutting down system, 
Vhich will doubtless become more general when so successfully prac¬ 
tised in gardens such as Trentham and Drumlanrig. At the former 
place last autumn 1 was much impressed with the beauty and useful¬ 
ness of many sorts grown in this way. In my opinion it is yet much 
the best way to propagate the tops of the taller varieties just as they 
begin to form crown buds where dwarf decorative plants are required 
■with large blooms, as unfortunately it is only the moderately dwarf 
sorts that flourish on the cut down system, and I really fail to see any 
objection to a few dozen twelve-footers in the Peach house of every 
garden, as decidedly the most beautiful blooms are produced from these 
in such varieties as Belle Panle and Madame C. Audiguier. Where these 
are objected to a capital selection not exceeding 3 feet high can be had 
•with Avalanche, Stanstead White, this latter we had 14 inches in 
■diameter and kept in prime condition two months last year. For 
colour Edwin Molyneux, M. Freeman may be chosen with Val 
d’Andorre, L’Adorable, Mrs. Falconer Jameson, Madame John Laing 
and Sarah Owen, For incurved flower all the Teck family are the best 
—Lord Eversley a beautiful long-keeping white ; Norman Davis, 
yellow; Princess Teck, blush; Charles Gibson, bronze; and Hero of 
Stoke Newington, rosy blush. Some of the Anemones are also dwarf, 
producing handsome useful blooms in almost every shade of colour.— 
J. H. Goodacre. 
Three Good Late-flowering Varieties. 
I HAVE had plants of most of the generally recognised late flowering 
varieties this season, many of them producing good blooms, but none 
amongst them is so conspicuously good and so ettective as the three 
following, all of which are comparatively new and not generally known, 
nor are they included in catalogue lists of late-flowering varieties. 
Putney George .—Judging by its character with me this season, this 
is a long way ahead of all other dark coloured varieties for flowering in 
January. The habit of the plant is very robust, with ample leafage, 
scarcely at all liable to mildew, and the buds open freely, however late. 
It also lasts well for a long time, and does not when old take on a dull 
dead tint as do King of Crimsons, Cullingfordi, Julie Lagravfere, and 
some other varieties. Its colour—brilliant crimson with gold tips to the 
florets, and bronze striped back—is wonderfully effective at Christmas 
time, and in the market flnds ready and eager purchasers. 
Mvg. T. H. Spaulding .—This is an American variety of 1888, pro¬ 
ducing large blooms, pure white, excepting only for a tinge of lemon 
colour at the base of the florets. Earlier in the season the florets 
Incurve somewhat after the manner of Pelican, but late blooms pro¬ 
duced now reflex, and the broad ribbon-like florets are flattened out* 
adding materially to its effectiveness when cut for making up into 
sprays or wreaths. Of a similar character to this, but not quite so pure 
in colour or good in form, is Lady Lawrence, syn. Mrs. Beale. 
Mrs. Bunnett .—The last of my trio is Mrs. Dunnett, a variety intro¬ 
duced by Messrs. Carter & Co. two seasons ago. It is a large cup shaped 
flower with long quilled petals ; white, delicately flushed and shaded 
with soft rose pink—a pleasing combination of colours. The plant is 
only a moderate grower, with rather small foliage, which is bright, 
smooth, and hard, lasting well on the plant and little subject to 
mildew. 
I intend during the next season to grow a number of plants of each 
of the varieties named specially for flowering at Christmas and in the 
following weeks, and I can confidently recommend others to do the 
same who wish to have good blooms of effective varieties.—W. K. W. 
Chrysanthemum Mr. W. W. Coles. 
The engraving on page 111 of the Journal of this new Japanese 
shows to the best advantage a grand variety. From what I know it is 
an excellent “ keeper,” which is a decided gain. A bloom grown by 
Mr. T. B. Morton, Darlington, was shown by him at the Centenary 
Exhibition in Edinburgh, where it stood three days, and afterwards was 
good enough to take premier honours as the best Japanese bloom in the 
show at Pontefract. I understand that the stock is very limited at 
present, which is to be regretted. Those who are fortunate enough to 
obtain it I would advise to grow it well, and I think they will then 
have reason to be thankful.—E. Molyneux. 
Open Air Chrysanthemums. 
Seldom have Chrysanthemums done so well in the open air as 
during the past season. The plants during the summer grew strongly 
yet sturdily, and the well-matured branches flowered exceptionally 
well. Added to this the weather in November was most favourable to 
the opening and durability of the flowers, and in some instances quite a 
gorgeous display was the result. Not only were the old and well-tried 
favourites beautiful, but other old and newer varieties not often seen 
good in the open air were both serviceable and showy. As a rule the 
preference ought to be given to the early, or what are known as summer 
flowering varieties, and those among the earliest to flower of the sections 
most generally grown in pots. Not unfrequently old plants are 
depended upon either from choice or indifference, but, as a rule, early 
raised young plants give the best results. A mass of shoots springing 
up from a strong old stool only serve to weaken and spoil each other, a 
few poor flowers only being borne on the top of each ; whereas if young 
plants are raised, these being early topped once or twice, a few strong 
branches are formed on each, these in their turn naturally producing 
side flowering shoots nearly throughout their entire length. There is no 
necessity to propagate at this early date, February or even early in 
March being soon enough to insert the cuttings. What has to be 
studied now is the source from whence suitable cuttings can be had. If 
there are no plants of each variety kept in pots and the old stools in the 
open, the chances are either no cuttings wiU be preserved from slugs, or 
else that the points of the young suckers will be crippled by frosts, and 
fail to strike in consequence. It is therefore necessary to either protect 
the old stools with a heap of ashes, leaf soil, or cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 
or else to lift some of each variety and store these in boxes or pots in a 
•old frame or pit. 
Among the earliest to flower, the season commencing in July, are 
the yellow and white forms of the very dwarf La Petite Marie, Mrs. 
Cullingford, PrScocitfi, St. Mary, Fr6d6rick Marronet, Fiberta, Hermine, 
Madame Piccol, Lyon, Mr. W. Piercy, and Alice Butcher. Those which 
flower late in September, and frequently till cut down by frosts, are 
Catherine Wermig, Madame Desgrange, Alexandre Dufour, La Vierge, 
Soeur Melanie, and L’lle des Plaisirs, all being of good sturdy free 
flowering habit. There are several excellent Japanese and incurved 
varieties that follow closely, among these being Lady Selborne, James 
Salter, Lord Beaconsfield, Elaine, Elsie, Margot, W. Holmes, L’Africaine, 
and Bertier Kendatler, all Japanese ; and of incurved, Mrs. G. Bundle, 
Mrs. Dixon, Mr. G. Glenny, Beverley, Mr. Bunn, Prince of Wales, Lord 
Derby, Prince Alfred, and Lord Wolseley. The foregoing succeed well 
in most seasons, and not unfrequently many of the somewhat later 
flowering varieties in each section do fairly well, especially if given the 
benefit of a sheltered position. On the whole the Pompons are the 
most reliable for open air culture, nearly all of these flowering most 
abundantly, the individual blooms being more perfect than is usually 
the case with either of the other sections. Such good sorts as Bob, 
White, Gold, and Lilac Cede Nulli, GoldeniCircle, Bose Trevenna, Aurore 
Borfiale, Bosinante, Mdlle. Marthe, and Comte de Morny were seen at 
their best during the past seasons, numerous cottagers, as well as the 
owners of larger gardens, having a fine display. 
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. 
I have been looking through the Journal, and first I note the con¬ 
clusion Professor Marshall Ward came to respecting the canker in Apple 
trees (page 178) which 1 consider a very just one. I came to the same 
conclusion some time since ; hence my letter at the beginning of the 
year. Since then 1 have been busy concreting the bottom as suggested, 
and planting and transplanting about 100 trees of Pears, Plums, and 
Apples, and shall soon, I hope, be able to reap the benefit from it. 
