214 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 5, 1891. 
eluding my notes, I may say that Mr. Midgely has 
been one of the most successful exhibitors for many 
years, and his abilities are well recognized, for 
he has the honour of judging at some of the leading 
shows. — E. 
FHOS*icUutU$e. 
Midland Carnation and Picotee Society. 
At our exhibition held in August it will be remem¬ 
bered that we made a very radical change in the 
classification of our single blooms. Instead of having 
three separate classes for the Bizarres, thrde classes for 
Flakes, and six classes for Picotees, we classed all the 
Bizarres together, asking the judges to pick out the 
three best scarlet, the three best crimson, and thethree 
best pink and purple, then arrange these nine flowers 
in their order of merit, thereby creating, so to speak, 
a double competition ; the same Was done with the 
Flakes and Picotees. Some said that by this classi¬ 
fication many good flowers were passed over, but such 
I told them Would be the case if we had a class for 
each and only awarded three or four prizes in a class, 
for in my opinion most exhibitors will always put 
their best flowers in their stands of twelve or six, 
leaving only the odd blooms for the single classes. 
For my own part I would as soon see all the single 
bloom classes done away with. Some would like to 
see the number of the single bloom classes reduced 
from the old system ; some would stick to the old 
lines ; but as I want to have some new feature in our 
exhibition, I do not want if possible to go back upon 
the old lines of showing each class separately, and I 
am now asking the opinion of exhibitors whether they 
would like to give this new classification another 
year’s trial, or whether they would prefer to let all 
the Bizarres remain in one class, the Flakes in another 
class, the heavy edge Picotees in a third class, the 
light edge Picotees in a fourth class, the Selfs in the 
fifth class, and the Fancies in the sixth class; then 
let the judges award prizes to the six or eight flowers 
best in each of these six classes, regardless of colour. 
■^-Robert Sydenham, Chairman of Committee, Tenbv 
Street, Birmingham. 
The Gold-laced Polyanthus. 
The pots containing Gold-laced Polyanthuses 
should now be plunged up to their rims in some dry 
riddled cinders, and kept Through the winter in a 
cold frame, as much air as possible being allowed 
them during the day, the frames being closed up at 
night; and a bass mat thrown over the frame at 
night will prove advantageous. The less the plants 
are exposed to rain during the winter the better ; and 
when the soil is observed to be dry, it should be 
moistened by the aid of a watering can with a fine 
rose. 
Pinks in Pots. 
The above treatment cannot be improved upon 
in regard to the wintering of Florists’ Laced Pinks. 
Alpine and other Auriculas in Pots. 
Persons who do not possess properly constructed 
houses for the above, cannot do better than follow 
the advice recommended for wintering the Gold- 
laced Polyanthus and Pinks in pots. The plung¬ 
ing of the pot plants in riddled cinders, or ashes, will 
prevent a great percentage of breakage of pots by 
the frost and sudden thaws.— James Thurstan, Cardiff, 
November .25, 1891. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM 
NOTES. 
Chrysanthemum Mademoiselle Cabrol. 
Chrysanthemum vagaries are as endless as they are 
interesting. Mademoiselle Cabrol, also known as 
Madame Cabrol, is a popular variety belonging to 
the Japanese Anemone section, and is characterised 
by its rose pink, broad and much twisted drooping 
guard florets, and a lilac disc. A sport, as sports are 
usually understood (and in this case we cannot say 
whether it will prove constant or not), has occurred 
in the collection of C. A. Dawes, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
J. Baird), Homefield, Ealing, showing three kinds of 
florets. A large number of the outer ones forming 
the guard, instead of taking their usual strap-shaped 
form, have become tubular or quilled and of a soft 
rosy pink ; the middle series are fewer in number, 
flattened often almost to the base, and variously 
twisted and incurved upon the disc, pure white on 
the upper surface except at the tip, which is blush 
and blush pink on the reverse. The central or disc 
florets are well developed and prominent, and rosy- 
purple with yellow and white lobes or teeth at the 
apex. On the whole the flower was charming, and 
we could wish that the sport would remain constant. 
The Old and the. New. 
“ Now the hurly-burly’s done 
And the battle lost and won." 
This, then, is the time to review our forces, to weigh 
in the balance as it were our veteran warriors of 
yore, our tried soldiers of recent years, and our 
most promising recruits. From what we have seen 
and heard, there can be but little doubt that many 
of the old favourites who have led the van in years 
past must soon be relegated to the " reserve forces " 
to guard the citadel at home, whilst the more 
doughty champions of the present day are engaged 
in the tug-of-war on many a battle plain, or to 
speak more literally, on many an exhibition table. 
Whilst the claimants for future fame amongst the 
Japanese are almost numberless, those in the in¬ 
curved sections are but few and far between. The 
following are a few that have come under my notice, 
viz,—M. R. Bahaunt, this I think will prove to be a 
great acquisition ; the same may also be said of 
Matthew Russell. Although I have seen several 
blooms of Robert Cannell, I cannot truly say that 
this variety took my fancy. Hero of Hull is a ster¬ 
ling good thing, and will I think oust H. Shoesmith 
from his present position. John Lambert and Lady 
Dorothy will also hold their own even in the best 
company, but the “ Queen ” of them all, in my hum¬ 
ble opinion, is Mrs. Robinson King. 
This truly splendid variety is a sport from Golden 
Empress, and originated with a neighbour of mine 
in 1887. I saw it both growing and " on the boards’’ 
in 1888, and every subsequent year—the good 
opinion I first formed of it has been more intensified 
as its features became definitely fixed, and better 
developed. Its colour is that of a deep rich gold, 
while its form and shape are in every respect equal 
to that of Lord Alcester, at its best. With me it has 
grown better and stronger than any other variety of 
the Queen family. 
During the past year it has been awarded several 
First-class Certificates. Amongst others those of 
the N.C.S. at the Aquarium, the Ancient Florist 
Society Show at York ; also at Liverpool, Notting¬ 
ham, Derby, and Leeds Chrysanthemum Shows. 
I understand that the entire stock of this grand variety 
has passed into the hands of Mr. Robert Owen, of 
Maidenhead.— Welton Dale. 
THE NATIONAL 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
The' Annual Dinner of this Society took place at 
AiTderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, on Tuesday evening, 
when about 120 members and friends sat down under 
the presidency of the Chairman of the Committee, 
Mr. Robert Ballantine. The dining hall and the 
dinner tables were beautifully decorated, the “ Mum" 
of course playing a conspicuous part, and thanks to 
some very good friends there was also a capital 
dessert. Honour having been done to the usual 
loyal toasts, the Chairman proposed " The 
National Chrysanthemum Society,” and in so doing 
took occasion to refer to the steady growth of the 
society during the past year, which had brought them 
sixty new members,, and added nine to their roll of 
affiliated societies. They had also to deeply regret 
some losses. The deaths of Mr. Shirley Hibberd, 
and more recently of Lord Lytton, one of the Vice- 
Presidents, was alluded to in feeling terms as was 
also the absence of their old friendMr. E. Sanderson, 
and their former esteemed colleague Mr. Brisco 
Ironside, both of whom had the misfortune to be in 
bad health. The exhibitions they had held during the 
year had all been successful ones, the last one especi¬ 
ally so ; their medals and the new certificate were 
eagerly contested for, and the former especially 
found much favour with their affiliated societies, and 
especially in the Colonies ; and their finances were 
in a healthy condition, and the whole of the prize 
money awarded at the November Show would be 
paid in a few days. On the whole their present posi¬ 
tion was a flattering one, and their future prospects 
most hopeful. 
Mr. E. C. Jukes proposed, and Mr. R. Dean re¬ 
sponded (in the absence of Mr. Ritchie) to the toast 
of " The Royal Aquarium and Summer and Winter 
Garden Society,” both gentlemen bearing eloquent 
testimony to the exceedingly generous and liberal 
treatment which the N.C.S. received from the 
Aquarium authorities. They were met on all occa¬ 
sions with the greatest kindness and consideration. 
The principal prizes of the year were distributed 
at this point of the programme, and Hr, Chigwell, 
who received the Silver Challenge Shield on behalf 
of the Havant Chrysanthemum Society, received a 
very cordial reception. Mr. C. E. Shea proposed 
11 The Officers of the Society,” to which Mr. J. R. 
Starling and Mr. C. Harman Payne responded. 
" Our Fellows and Guests,” proposed by Mr. Dean, 
was acknowledged by Mr. G. J. Ingram, secretary 
of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. 
The other toasts were “ The Chairman,” “ Affiliated 
and Kindred Societies,” responded to by Dr. 
Walker, of Wimbledon ; "The General and Floral 
Committees,” and " The Horticultural Press.” An 
admirable musical programme was greatly enjoyed 
by all present. 
0 » r 
AMARYLLIS BELLA¬ 
DONNA. 
I wonder who introduced this beautiful Cape of 
Good Hope bulbous plant to this country ? It came 
here as far back as 1712, and probably some voyager, 
noticing its delicate beauty, secured a plant, and, 
bringing it home, enriched our floral treasures by the 
introduction of this delightful stranger. One can 
quite understand the appropriateness of its common 
name, Belladonna, from the charming tint of delicate 
red upon the white perianth, resembling the com¬ 
plexion of a beautiful woman. 
This exquisite species, which blooms in September 
and October according to the season, does admirably 
at Gunnersbury Park, Acton, W. A few years ago 
Mr. J. Roberts, when gardener there, planted a 
border on the outside south front of one of his plant 
houses—a house in two divisions, one end being 
used for New Holland and such like plants, the other 
division being kept warmer. Mr. Roberts had this 
border, which is about two feet in width, well drained, 
he then put in some suitable compost, light and rich, 
and planted his bulbs a foot or nearly so below the sur¬ 
face. He thus made a permanent border, and every 
season a remarkably fine lot of bloom results. The 
advantage of planting in such a position as that 
selected by Mr. Roberts is readily seen : the wall near 
to which the bulbs were planted is dry and warm, 
and these conditions conduce to the thorough ripen¬ 
ing of the bulbs at the proper season. One charac¬ 
teristic is noticeable, the bulbs in front of the warmer 
portion of the house are always the earliest to throw 
up their flower stems several days before the others. 
In spring the foliage is produced. It is a curious 
characteristic in some plants that the flowers should 
be produced at one season of the year, and the 
leaves at another, but this peculiarity appears to 
be largely, if not altogether, confined to bulbous- 
rooted plants which flower in autumn. I have 
known the foliage of the Belladonna Lilies at 
Gunnersbury much injured by the late spring frosts, 
which tends to give the plants a severe check. This 
cannot well be avoided with the plants grown in the 
open. 
A good mulching of manure is very serviceable after 
the spring growth has been formed. It will impart 
robustness to it, and during summer assist in keep¬ 
ing the bulbs and the soil about them cool and 
moist. 
This beautiful Amaryllis can also be grow in pots. 
The bulbs, which are largely grown in Holland and 
other parts of the continent, come to this country in 
September, and they should be kept dry until early , 
spring and potted, but little water being given until 
the foliage appears. During summer the pots may 
occupy a cold frame and the bulbs encouraged to 
make as free a growth as possible ; when the foliage 
decays the soil may be kept drier, and then flower 
stems may be looked for in September. Deep pots 
should be used and a good rich soil.— R. D, 
