April 10, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
807 
require through the number of years until they flower. Then the real 
interest is at its maximum, and we reap the fruits of our labour. Let 
me recommend all who have a few Orchids to try what can be done in 
hybridising, although it may take a long while to see the result of our 
experiments. Remember “ time is always on the wing,” and that they 
are “growing while we are sleeping.” 
The cultivation of the hot section differs but little from the cool 
section, and where they can be cultivated as well as the cool section, it 
adds considerably to the richness of the collection, both in colour and 
variation in the flowers. To see the plants in perfection when in flower, 
they ought to be removed to a house that can be kept drier, which 
enables the flowers to last longer in perfection, and if arranged with 
light elegant Palms and Ferns, their beauty is considerably enhanced and 
their diversity of colour and form may be admired at leisure. 
Chrysanthemums—New Varieties, 
[Read at Sheffield by Mr. W. Houslcy.] 
This subject to most amateurs is a perplexing one. When I say per¬ 
plexing I do not mean that it is so exactly in the cultivation of the 
plants, but in the selection of varieties that will be the most likely to 
give him satisfaction, either as show flowers, fit for the best row on his 
board at an exhibition, or as decorative plants bearing a number of 
fairly good blooms. 
I seldom procure new varieties the first season they are offered for 
commerce, for this reason—nearly all such varieties are limited in num¬ 
bers, and consequently in cuttings, and therefore are placed in heat to 
force them to produce a good supply for the market. This is the 
cause of weak, elongated cuttings, which will certainly not produce 
exhibition blooms or anything approaching them. 
Take for instance Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, which, according to the 
flattering accounts given in the horticultural papers, was the best 
Japanese variety which had made its dehilt for some time. This variety 
was largely sought for, and the result, at least in the north, has not been 
very satisfactory, as only a few very medium blooms have been seen. 
The cost of this variety, which was of American origin, amounted to 
something like £300, and I think will most likely turn out disappointing 
to English growers. The hair-like growths (which is stated to be its great 
feature) on the surface of the petals is by no means new. Mr. Tunning- 
ton of Liverpool, one of the most experienced growers in England, 
assures me he has had the same thing occur with such varieties as 
Chang, Hero of Stoke Newington, and Princess Teck, under good 
cultivation, although perhaps not so much so as in this variety. 
I believe never before in the history of Chrysanthemum culture were 
new varieties so numerous or so eulogistically described as in the present 
season. Years ago we complained of the French raisers each season 
sending us such a large number, all with very high-flown descriptions, 
but very very few of which turned out equal to existing varieties ; but 
now cousin Jonathan, who is nothing if he does not “lick creation,” has 
apparently taken his cue from the French, and is endeavouring to out- 
Herod Herod. Every catalogue teems with new American varieties, the 
descriptions of which are enough to drive a ’mum enthusiast crazy, 
especially if his pocket is not too well lined. Mr. Owen catalogues no 
fewer than sixty new American varieties for 1890, and almost as many 
for 1889. Messrs. Cannell, Davis, Laing, Boyce, and Morton have long 
lists, differing in many varieties. Mr. Holmes has another list entirely 
to himself, which he calls the “ Messina collection,” being a collection 
sent over to a New York Lady by a young Japanese gentleman, and out 
of which came Mrs. A. Hardy, of which I have previously spoken. This 
collection comprises eleven varieties—Bella Hickey, Emma Ricker, 
Kioto. Kabayama, Lillian B. Bird, Medusa, Mrs. Fottler, Messina, 
A\’. H. Lincoln, Nippon, and Mrs. A. Hardy. The best of these I think 
will be Kioto, Mrs. Fottler, and Mr. W. H. Lincoln ; they are certainly 
the most likely candidates for public favour. The demand for Mrs. 
A. Hardy this year is, I believe, very small, and is attributable to one of 
two causes. First, the American firm who introduced it appear to have 
then scoured the country in search of buyers, and thus distributed it 
very extensively ; and secondly, there appears to be an almost unanimous 
opinion amongst exhibitors, and those who have either themselves 
flowered it or seen it flowered, that it will not make a successful exhi¬ 
bition variety. 
I am not favourably impressed with the American descriptions of 
a flower, as they either do not know what the English standard of a 
good bloom is, or they are exaggerated. One of the largest of northern 
growers grew eighteen of the newest American varieties last year, all 
with a glowing description, but only to meet with the keenest disap¬ 
pointment, ami to consign sixteen to the rubbish heap. Of those new 
varieties which have upheld their reputation and which have produced 
first class blooms. Sunflower is a splendid grower. The same can be said 
of Pltoile de Lyon, although a little coarser than that previously named. 
Florence Percy, a good bloom, though small if produced from the 
crown bud, is a fine flower. The same may be said of Gladiator, Marsa, 
Mad. Louise Leroy, Condor, with very broad florets, George Daniels, a 
light pink, remarkable for its width of petal. Mad. A. Carnegie, scarlet 
crimson, is sure to come to the front, as is also W. \V'. Coles, a bright red. 
These two last named are sure to take a foremost place. 
I may safely say that the most favourite Japanese of the year will 
be W. W. Coles. It is now greatly in demand, and there is likely to be 
some diffleuRy in obtaining it, as I understand all the leading raisars- 
have considerably more orders on their books than they have plants to 
meet them with. This variety was exceedingly well flowered by Mr. 
Pearson at the Chilwell Nurseries, and he has a high opinion of it. 
Next in order comes Volunteer (syn. Mrs. Irving Clarke) and Beauty of 
Castlewood. The last named is very scarce ; the first named is a fair 
bloomer, and will no doubt become a great favourite and useful variety ; 
its build and style (that of Belle Paule) is of a most pleasing and 
effective character. L. Canning will also become a very popular variety, 
for its close compact habit of growth, in which respect I think it sur¬ 
passes Avalanche; it is a pure white and said to be a deep, well built 
flower if well grown. 
A few new varieties, which have been discarded by a well known 
northern grower, are Moonlight, Mr. and Mis. H. Cannell, Ceres and 
Pelican, none of which will prove satisfactory so far north as ShefBeld 
unless we have a most exceptionally fine hot summer. These require 
more heat to properly develop and open the flowers successfully than 
any others, although at the same time most Japs delight in a gentle 
heat, and expand more freely if so treated. 
Of the new incurved varieties only two call for any special comment 
—viz., Mr. T. Coleman, sent out by Mr. Owen of Maidenhead, and John 
Lambert, raised by Mr. J. Lambert of Shrewsbury. The first named 
is a sport from Princess of Wales, and has received six first class certifi¬ 
cates. It resembles its parent in every respect except colour, the lower 
part of the flower being a bright golden bronze, shaded rose, the upper 
portion often bright yellow, inside the petals of a pale yellow. This is- 
one of the most valuable acquisitions ever obtained, and should certainly 
become a favourite. 
John Lambert is a magnificent flower both in build and solidity. It- 
is a sport from Lord Alcester, but superior in form. It was also ex¬ 
hibited at Sheffield, and, although not obtaining a certificate, was not 
the less deserving of one. The fact that the flowers had been shown 
at a previous exhibition had certainly somewhat militated against what 
must have been an exceptionally good trio of blooms when cut from thfr 
plants. 
Mr. Molyneux has rather decried this variety in some of the horticul¬ 
tural journals, giving it as his decided opinion that it will not be found 
equally valuable as an exhibition variety with the two new ones sent out 
last year—viz., Violet Tomlin and Miss Haggas ; but even Mr. Molyneux 
is not infallible, and I think too much stress should not be laid on hia 
opinions on this point. John Lambert sported with the raiser (Mr. 
Lambert) of Shrewsbury in 1886 or 1887, since which time it has con¬ 
tinually been shown by Mr. Lambert on his incurved stands, and has no- 
doubt contributed largely to his success. No Golden Queen of England 
or Emily Dale can approach it for build or colour, and it is a much 
stronger grower than its parent. 
Ada Spalding, one of the new American varieties, has been grown 
by Mr. Owen, who has successfully flowered it, and who takes it to be 
an excellent variety. It is a splendid grower, making large, stout, fine 
looking foliage, and as flowered last autumn was quite satisfactory in 
every respect, and should be seen in a conspicuous position on most 
winning .boards this coming autumn. John Doughty, a sport froni 
Queen of England, colour a rosy fawn, a decided improvement on the 
Bronze Queen, is a'so good. Vio'et Tomlin, a bright violet purple, a tall 
grower, good foliage, and a good solid flower, is one of the newest and 
best as a show variety. Miss Haggas, a bright soft yellow, is also a tall 
grower, and is equally good with the last named. They are, however, 
both rather taller than the majority of amateurs can conveniently 
house. 
Of new Anemone flowered varieties which will no doubt become 
acquisitions may be named Mrs. Judge Benedict, Mrs. Chas. Pratt, Mr. 
E. C. Jukes, and Gladys Spaulding. Of the early or summer flowering;: 
varieties Golden Shah, an English raised seedling, is likely to become 
popular, from its dwarf compact habit, good foliage, bright yellow 
flowers, and earliness. 
HARDY FLOWERS AT KEW. 
All lovers of hardy flowers will find themselves amply repaid for a 
visit to Kew at the present time. The ganlens always present some¬ 
thing interesting to the visitor, and just now the chief attractions are 
the wealth of spring flovyers which everywhere meet the eqe. 
The method adopted of planting these on the grass is a great success. 
The wild garden on the mound near the Cumberland Gate is worth, a 
journey to see, the thousands of Narcissi having a most imposing effect, 
while the Hyacinths present quite a blaze of colour which is softened 
down by their carpet of green. In no position does the Hyacinth 
display itself to so much advantage as when planted on the grass, as 
here it loses the stiffness and formality which characterise it in beds 
and borders. All bulbs which are of no further use for pot culture 
