Origin 
Japan’s 
National 
Emblem 
Classi¬ 
fication 
and 
Name 
Early 
Intro¬ 
duction 
Into Europe 
and America 
Chrysanthemums 
o know the history of the origin of the Chry¬ 
santhemum i6 not at all necessary to its successful production. But, 
rich with age and legend, it holds a certain fascination, and stimu¬ 
lates the desire for a more intimate knowledge of a flower that 
survives, not only because of its history, but because of its beauty 
and charm. 
The Chrysanthemum originated in China, being mentioned as 
early as the time of Confucius (in his Li-Ki) and it was developed 
to its present state of beauty by both Chinese and Japanese flo¬ 
rists. Japan even adopted this flower as its national floral emblem. 
It was introduced into Europe about 1790, being sent to England 
by Mr. Cels, a French gardener. 
At the time that the first Chrysanthemums were being shown in 
Europe, the botanists had difficulty classifying this new bloom. 
Some said it belonged to the Anthemis family, while others con¬ 
tended it was surely of a Pyrethrum genus. Finally it was agreed 
to call it "Chrysanthemum” from "Chrysos” meaning golden and 
"Anthos” meaning flower. Well named, it is too, for of all flowers 
can you think of a more cheerful one than this "Queen of Au¬ 
tumn?” 
The pompom variety, one of the hardiest types, has sprung from 
the blending of two small flowering varieties of the "Chusan 
Daisy”, introduced by Mr. Fortune in 1846. The French gave them 
the name Pompom because the pompom on the soldiers* cap re¬ 
sembled the flower so closely. To Peter Henderson goes the dis¬ 
tinction of introducing the Japanese varieties into America, others 
following him in rapid succession. 
The types, varieties and colors have increased immeasurably, and 
success in their cultivation has become so certain that choice of 
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