364 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 18,1894 
Chrysanthemum Frank Wells. 
Amongst the many Chrysanthemums which have already figured as 
novelties of the year is Frank Wells, a bloom of which is depicted in the 
illustration (fig. 56). This is a Japanese variety raised, we understand, 
by Mr. W. Wells, The Earls wood Nurseries, Redhill, and by whom it was 
exhibited at the Drill Hall and Royal Aquarium last week. It is a fine 
variety when seen at its best, and is worthy of the award of merit 
adjudged for it by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 9th inst. The bloom is large, of a good form, and a 
delicate silvery pink colour, lighter in the centre. The plant appears to 
be a dwarf grower and of a robust constitution. 
Promise op Chrysanthemums. 
All persons interested in Chrysanthemums will now be making 
preparations for the annual feast of the golden flower. In less than a 
month from now we shall be in the thick of the fight—those of us who 
contemplate a tour of the exhibitions; those who do not purpose “doing 
the shows,” and who are not what can fairly be termed large cultivators 
but admirers of the flower in all its phases, would like to know what 
is the promise for the coming season. I look upon the prospect most 
hopefully. Although the weather has not been so intensely hot and 
dry as that of last year, on the whole it has been favourable for the 
growth of Chrysanthemums. I doubt not but that in a few instances we 
shall hear complaints of the wood being “ soft ” where the best cultural 
conditions have not been made the'most of, and opportunities have been 
lost that might have been placed to better effect. 
Much of the grumbling about the weather no doubt has a founda¬ 
tion to begin with, but when we see persons cultivating two plants 
where only one ought to stand, surely this is not the fault of the 
weather, but purely a want of that supervision and knowledge so 
desirable to combat difficulties when they arise. I had a striking 
instance of how a cultivator’s plants may be in a condition to be termed 
“soft” not long since placed before me. The usual double line of 
plants was growing at the sides of a path in the kitchen garden. An 
Apple tree somewhat encroached over the path in one particular spot ; 
the Chrysanthemum growing under the shade of its branches presented 
a different appearance all the time it was there as compared with the 
rest. Instead of it following suit in the ripening or maturation process, 
toward the end of September, like the rest, the stems and leaves of this 
particular plant were distinctly “ sofc” at housing time. I prognosti¬ 
cate that this plant will give blooms wanting in the customary depth 
and solidity, I record this fact as an illustration of how many collec¬ 
tions of plants do not receive that treatment which is desirable in the 
matter of space during the long growing season. When the plants are 
cramped for room their wants cannot be supplied by sun, air, and wind 
in the same manner as is requisite. Complaints that we shall doubtless 
hear will come from those persons who do not give their plants a real 
chance, but expect them to give the same result as those which receive 
the correct treatment as regards space. The bright sunny weather that 
we are now experiencing will assist materially in developing the opening 
blooms. 
Many plants in various collections which have come under my notice, 
and that are cultivated for the production of large blooms—whether for 
exhibition or home decoration it matters not which, the cultural 
requirements are just the same—show a tendency to lose more leaves 
prematurely from their main stems than I should prefer to see. In 
several instances this is distinctly traceable to mildew and insect pests, 
and is directly the result of not applying the usual remedies early 
enough for the destruction of this fungoid growth and the multiplica¬ 
tion of aphides, especially that commonly known as black fly. Earwigs 
have made sad havoc of leaves and tender buds where they were allowed 
to have free sway. Where the usual bamboo canes or bean stems were 
set as traps the damage committed has been of little consequence. To 
show how numerous they have been, I saw sixty of these busy night 
marauders ejected from a single trap of the former construction one 
morning. What with the adverse weather, the insect pests, and the 
premature bud formation which some varieties have indulged in, I may 
say unmercifully. Chrysanthemum cultivators have had much to occupy 
their thoughts and time as well of late. Still in spite of these draw¬ 
backs, those who attended diligently are within a short distance of 
reaping the sweets of victory. 
Premature bud formation has been to many persons in the south of 
England a continuous source of trouble and anxiety this season. Many 
plants of the Queen family have been most persistent in bud formation 
at a time when growth would have been so much more desirable. Then 
that awful frost of May 20th and the succeeding night also crippled the 
points of many plants that were being grown to assist in winning cups 
and other valuable prizes. If the Queen and her family of sports do 
not acquit themselves upon the exhibition table as well this season as 
in others now past, I for one shall know the reison why. This bud 
formation is a peculiarity in some gardens. It sets one thinking that a 
radical change is necessary in preparing the plants to give cuttings the 
November and December previous. 
The best preparation I can suggest is indeed a radical one—viz., that 
of burning the whole stock, and making a fresh start with cuttings 
taken from plants growing out of doors unprotected, or cultivated in 
any special way, but just allowed freedom from sulphate of ammonia, 
nitrate of soda, and the various other chemical manures. This would 
be a drastic change no doubt, but I think an efficacious one. 
Taken as a whole, I think the plants have not attained to so great a 
height this season as in some. There are exceptions I know which 
certain varieties supply, but on the whole the tendency is to a dwarfer 
habit of growth, brought about by careful hybridisation in the pro¬ 
curing of new kinds. When we see Avalanche employed as a seed 
parent, and the result is superior blooms even to that favourite, and 
obtained from plants 1 foot less in height than that variety itself grows, 
who will say this is not a step in the right direction? 
Last season was a prolific one in new varieties, especially in the 
Japanese section. This year will see many additions to an already 
long list, and many that will add increased interest and value to the 
exhibitor. Duchess of York is an instance of progress. Not only have 
we in this a massive example of a Japanese Chrysanthemum, but one 
possessed of much refinement. Such varieties as Louise, Kentish 
Yellow, Charles Davis, Souvenir de Petite Amie, Viscountess Hambledon, 
and International, all of a dwarf habit of growth, and which are new 
or nearly so, will assist the exhibitor of groups by their large and 
refined flowers upon dwarf plants. Such sorts as those quoted are 
indispensable to such an exhibitor, and equally so to those in the cut 
bloom classes. 
Taken altogether I regard the Chrysanthemum season of 1894 as. 
being at the present time quite as promising as many of its predecessors. 
In the following issue I hope to make a few suggestions for the benefit 
of exhibitors, judges, and all connected with the coming Chrysanthemum 
exhibition season.—E. Molyneux. 
A New Chrysanthemum Show at Woolwich, 
The first autumn show of the Woolwich, Plumstead, and District 
Horticultural Society will be held at the Drill Hall, Beresford Street, 
Woolwich, on November 8th and 9th. A schedule comprising some 
fifty classes for Chrysanthemums, fruit, and vegetables, has been 
compiled, and the prizes offered should bring forth a good display. We 
are requested to say in connection with this, that exhibitors of groups 
of Chrysanthemums at this show will have their expenses paid, if 
desirable. 
Chrysanthemum Mrs. E. G. Hill. 
Mr. W. J. Godfrey, The Nurseries, Exmouth, sends us a bloom of 
the above-mentioned variety. It is an incurved Japanese kind, said to 
have been imported from America, and is an undoubted acquisition. 
The bloom is large, of good form and substance, and a distinct delicate 
colour, the florets being a pleasing shade of clear silvery pink. Mr. 
Godfrey says, “ It is a good ‘ doer ’ in every respect, and is one of the 
finest varieties of recent years.” 
Golden Wedding, 
I have been much interested in and hope edified by the cor¬ 
respondence on the above-named variety in your most instructive 
weekly. I am sorry, however, I have to go in with the majority of your 
correspondents, and say that Golden Wedding has behaved in exactly 
the way described by Mr. B. Molyneux. I wish to thank him heartily 
for giving us the benefit of his experience so readily. Until I read the 
correspondence in your issue of September 20th I could not think what 
had affected the plants. I hope we may be enabled to trace the cause of 
and then find a remedy for the disease.— Robert Paterson. 
Semi-early or October Chrysanthemums, 
By far the larger portion of the best flowers exhibited at the last 
Floral Committee meeting of the National Chrysanthemum Society were 
new French varieties. Out of those certificated Souvenir de Petite Amie, 
Madame C. Molin, and Commandant Blusset were raised by Mr. Ernest 
0-ilvat. T. H. Denis, also certificated, was raised by M, Crozy. Other 
