386 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 25, 1894. 
Chrysakthemum Shows. 
As is usual at this time of the year we have received numerous 
intimations of Chrysanthemum shows which are to be held during the 
ensuing season. Space, however, can only be found for mentioning 
those that have been advertised in our columns up to date, of which 
the following is a list. We append the names and addresses of the 
respective secretaries. 
Oct. 25th and 26th.— Hertford. —J. Fears, Tamworth Street, Hertford. 
„ 31st and Nov. Ist.— Kent County. —J. Garwood, 37, Turner Road, 
Lee, S.E. 
Nov. 2nd and 3rd.— Crystal Palace. —W. G. Head, Crystal Palace, 
S.E. 
,, 6th, 7th, and 8th, Dec. 4th, 5th, and 6th.— National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society (Royal Aquarium, Westminster).— 
R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Eal ng. 
„ 6th and 7th.— Leeds Paxton. — J. Campbell, The Gardens, 
Methley Park, Leeds. 
„ 6th and 7th.— Brighton and Sussex (New).—M. Longhurst, 18, 
Church Road, Hove. 
,, 6th and 7th.— Watford. —Chas. R. Humbert, Watford. 
„ 7th and 8th.— Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale. — F. J. 
Patton, The Links, Ascot. 
„ 7th and 8th.— Bournemouth and District. — J. Spong, The 
Gardens, Lindisfarne, Bournemouth. 
„ 7Lh and 8th.— Wolverhampton. —J. H. Wheeler, The Gardens, 
Glen Bank, Tettenhall. 
„ 7th and 8th.— Liverpool. — W. Dickson, 7, Victoria Street, 
Liverpool. 
„ 13th and 14th.— Kingston AND Surbiton. —F. J. Hayward, High 
Street, Kingston. 
,, 13th and 14th.— Kidderminster (3t. George’s Institute). — 
H. Turley. 
„ 13th and 14th.— Plymouth (West of England).—C. Wilson, 4, 
North Hill. 
,, 13th and 14th.— Farnham. —F. Weller-Poley, Waverley Abbey, 
Farnham. 
„ 14th and 15th.— Hull and East Riding.—E. Harland and J. 
Dixon, Manor Street, Hull. 
„ 14th and 15th.— Birmingham. —J. Hughes, High Street, Harborne, 
Birmingham. 
„ 14th and 15th.— South Shields and Northern Counties. — 
B. Cowan, Harton, South Shields. 
„ 14th and 15th.— Herefordshire.— J. Ough, 7, Clifford Street, 
Hereford. 
,, 14th and 15th.— Bristol. —E. G. Cooper. 
„ 14th and 15th.— Rugby. —William Bryant, 8 , Barby Road, Rugby. 
„ 15th.— Birkenhead and Wirral. —W. Bassett, 23, Grove Road, 
Rock Ferry. 
„ 15th and 16th.— Winchester. — Chaloner Shenton, Westgate 
Chambers, Winchester. 
,, 16th and 17ch.— Chesterfield. — A. H. Johnson, New Square, 
Chesterfield. 
„ 16th and 17tb.— Eccles, Patricroft, Pendleton and District. 
—H. Huber, Hazeldene, VVinton, Patricroft. 
„ 16th and 17th.— Bradford and District. —H. R. Barraclough, 
383, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford. 
,, 16th and 17th.— Sheffield. —W. Houseley, 177, Cemetery Road. 
Chrysanthemum Duchess of York. 
Up to the present time this year this Japanese Chrysanthemum 
stands far and away at the head as a new variety. In the Duchess of 
York we not only find size but quality also ; there is not a semblance 
of anything approaching to coarseness, although the blooms seen of it 
measure close upon 9 inches in diameter, and of corresponding depth. 
The florets are narrow, twisted, and the point, many of them forked, 
which gives distinctness of character. The colour is a rich yellow, 
although early blossoms will be inclined to be rather pale. Those who 
remember Le Sceptre Toulousaine when at its best, about ten years 
since, will see an extremely close resemblance in the Duchess of York 
to that variety in all points except colour. The average growth is 6 feet, 
plants produce exhibition blooms from both early and late crown buds. 
I strongly advise all lovers of Chrysanthemums to make themselves 
acquainted with this novelty, and especially exhibitors. 
This Chrysanthemum was raised by Mr. Carruthers (to whom a first- 
class certificate was awarded by the National Chrysanthemum Society 
at the recent October show), from seed received direct from Japan 
through a missionary at Tokio. Mr. Carruthers speaks highly of its 
habit of growth, producing exhibition blooms freely. Plants raised 
from cuttings in January give crown buds in time for the November 
shows.—E. Molyneux. 
[The illustration, reduced from a photograph (fig. 59), has been pre¬ 
pared from a bloom kindly sent us by Mr. J. Carruthers. Hillwood, 
Corstorphine, Midlothian. We understand that this beautiful variety 
will be distributed by Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, 
Lewisham, next spring.] 
HINTS TO EXHIBITORS AND OFFICIALS. 
In the present article I purpose making a few suggestions to intend¬ 
ing exhibitors, judges, and officials connected with Chrysanthemum 
exhibitions. Exhibitors are deserving of the first attention, as they are 
really those who make a show what it is—good or bad. I am afraid, 
however, that some societies do not recognise them in this way ; be that 
as it may, without them little could be done to satisfy their patrons. 
Exhibitors, in my opinion, are in many instances far too grasping. 
They endeavour to compete in more classes than they reasonably can 
with a fair chance of success, and thus lower the standard of excellence 
of an exhibition, and their own reputation also. There are many who 
prefer several third prizes to one first, even in minor classes, if the 
amount in prize money for the thirds exceeds that of the single premier 
award by even a few shillings. Such exhibitors lower the status of a 
show as regards the quality of its exhibits, and not unfrequently 
displease employers. To the latter it cannot be but annoying to find 
their name placed behind that of another exhibitor, whose opportunities 
for prizewinning are nothing compared with the facilities afforded to 
the larger exhibitor. My practice has been to aim strenuously 
and reasonably for first prizes, restricting the number of entries at one 
show to gain that object. I have seen many men adopt the shifting 
tactics at an exhibition when they saw their opponents’ blooms staged 
in such a manner as to spread their chance of winning prizes over a 
larger area, until they have had to be content with the winning of one 
single first, and acknowledging themselves content with numerous 
inferior awards. 
Exhibitors are solely responsible for the class of blooms that are 
exhibited. I fear there is a strong tendency towards mere size in 
preference to those possessing more points of quality. Especially is this 
noticeable in the Japanese section. To obtain the largest blooms early 
formed buds are retained, and if these are unduly early they develop 
coarse and poorly coloured examples. These too early selected buds as 
a rule do not produce the right class of floret as later blooms exhibit. 
Take Etoile de Lyon as an illustration of my meaning. In early formed 
buds the florets are fluted, especially pale in colour, and altogether 
unlike the blooms obtained from buds formed after the 15th of August. 
Mrs. C. H. Payne is another instance of coarseness of floret and want 
of colour, caused purely by too early a selection of buds. Exhibitors 
would do well to consider other requirements in a flower than that of 
great width to enable them to cover the stands. Depth is very important, 
and evenness of contour with brilliancy of colour, combined as this 
latter is with freshness, are all superior features to mere size. Varieties 
like Mrs. W. E. Clarke, which is not considered of high quality in the 
best of condition, can be made very much more objectionable by 
presentation without a single floret of the right shape or colour. 
Exhibitors seem to forget that where blooms of this kind obtain but a 
minimum of points, others possessing the real character of individuality 
in its best form are likely to score the maximum number of points, 
which enables any stand to gain a substantial advantage in competition, 
and where this is close every point tells seriously against such 
misrepresentations of individual varieties. 
In the case of incurved kinds I note in some districts there is too 
strong a tendency to favour large flat blooms, even if they have broad 
florets, in preference to those more globose. The true typical incurved 
bloom is likened to a globe, and as such should be borne in mind when 
staging. Cross-eyed flowers and others more akin to reflexed specimens 
than incurved will always be rejected by myself. A bloom half the 
size, if it be typical of its section, will always find more favour, because 
such a specimen lacks but one point—size, whereas others contain only 
the same one feature. To the merest tyro in Chrysanthemum culture it 
must be obvious that quality should rank foremost. 
I observe a growing tendency amongst exhibitors of staging blooms 
but partly opened, many indeed requiring quite a week to give them 
the necessary finish. In the Japanese section this is especially the case. 
Now it is obviously the duty of a judge to take into consideration what 
are the state of the exhibits upon the day appointed. He has nothing to 
do with what they will be or in what condition such exhibits were. 
The appointed date is in his mind, or ought to be. If due weight were 
not given to an exhibitor that conforms to this rule what would be the 
