164 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 16, 1889. 
to be a robust grower ; indeed, coarse culture 
is probably rather to be avoided in connection 
with it. 
‘T|\ressing the “Mums.” —There can be no 
Gr doubt whatever but that considerable mis¬ 
conception exists as to the amount of dressing 
to which exhibitors of show blooms subject 
them before staging. Some persons seem to 
think that an expert in the art of diessing can 
lick a bad flower into such perfect shape as to 
deceive both judges and the public readily, but 
this is all nonsense. No man can make a good 
bloom out of a bad one, whilst even the most 
unskilled dresser, if he will take a little pains, 
may materially improve blooms which are stout 
and full, but have the petals imperfectly 
arranged. One of our most eminent authorities 
in relation to Chrysanthemum culture and 
exhibiting—the venerable and esteemed ex¬ 
president of the National Society, Mr. E. 
Sanderson—holds that the real art of dressing 
is found in assisting the flowers gradually to 
perfect their form and setting of petals whilst 
still on the plants and in process of develop¬ 
ment. That is as excellent sense as some of 
the notions extant with respect to dressing are 
nonsense. The term so often used—manipula¬ 
tion—is suggestive of deception, such as cutting 
out a bad centre and putting in a good one, and 
so on, things which no man who valued his 
reputation would ever think of practising, and 
we doubt whether it is ever now attempted. 
The exhibitor of flowers who touches them 
up, and arranges the petals to the best advan¬ 
tage is only helping nature, and, indeed, he is 
doing less to deceive than is the exhibitor of 
animals for prizes, who washes, combs, brushes 
and generally dresses up the coats of the crea¬ 
tures he shows. What is certain in relation 
to show blooms of Chrysanthemums is that he 
is the best cultivator after all who wins prizes, 
and not the so-called manipulator. The stuff 
must be in the flowers. Only good cultivation 
can put it there, and when there, nothing is 
simpler than to put it into proper form. 
he Planting Season.— Nurserymen and 
purchasers of trees for planting must of 
late have been revelling in the weather. We 
have had comparatively little of storm, not an 
excessive rainfall, and plenty of mild open 
weather, which could not but be favourable 
beyond all precedent for tree and shrub plant¬ 
ing. It will not be a matter for surprise to 
learn later that the autumn planting time, allied 
to greater national prosperity, has served to 
thin nurserymen’s stocks largely, and also to 
make all hands busy in filling up and preparing 
for future demands. The growing interest in 
fruit tree planting has found a wonderful 
stimulus during the past few weeks by reason 
of the splendid weather and the admirable con¬ 
dition of the soil. 
Some days have been those of summer; 
indeed, so warm, sunny, and delightful, it 
would seem as if our autumns, in spite of an 
early snap or two of frost, were becoming 
gradually milder, whilst our springs are getting 
colder and later. It is the lateness of the 
spring which forms our chief difficulty in 
horticulture. It upsets and often destroys all 
our just anticipations. 
During the recent soft, pleasant weather, in 
which, so far, frost has hardly played a part, the 
only drawback has been found in the almost 
forcing effects of the mildness upon the Chry¬ 
santhemums under glass; but it has been a 
good time for the flowers outdoors, where some¬ 
how we care far too little for what is the most 
beautiful decorative race of hardy garden 
plants. 
We may, in reference to the effects of the 
weather upon planting, go a little beyond hor¬ 
ticulture, and refer to the remarkably fine time 
of it farmers have had for the getting in of all 
early winter seeds, whilst it has even helped to 
make herbage plentiful. The goodness of the 
autumn naturally leads to the hope that next 
year will prove more favourable in every 
way than even the late one has been, and that 
some prosperous seasons are in store. 
pfHE New Departure at the Westminster 
^ Aquarium. —We hesitate not to draw special 
attention to the remarkably attractive series of 
shows—seven in number beyond the three 
usually held under the auspices of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society—which will be held 
at the Royal Aquarium during the coming year. 
These exhibitions, although to be held in 
London, will be as much open to the whole 
kingdom, or for that matter the whole world, 
as though they were to be held elsewhere. 
That the shows are to be held under the 
control and management of Mr. Holmes, the 
popular secretary of the N. C. S., will serve to 
command respect and confidence, because that 
gentleman as a show manager has already 
earned a high reputation. 
The list of subjects to be invited for exhibi¬ 
tion at these shows will afford ample evidence 
that the Chrysanthemum fever does not over¬ 
ride everything else. We shall have all the 
favourite garden flowers shown in their season, 
and wo hope shown well; and we have reason 
to believe that fruits and vegetables also will 
not be wholly neglected. With the popular 
florists’ flowers of the day, too, we are not 
without hope of seeing also some of the 
favourites of former days that have been too 
long allowed to suffer neglect at the hands of 
the so-called leading societies in the metropolis. 
We want a revival in floriculture, and we are 
glad to learn that there is a hopeful prospect 
of the aspirations of all earnest florists being 
realised. 
It may be no harm to suggest just now that 
the selection of judges for these shows should 
be as catholic as are the flowers to be presented 
for competition. There are plenty of good 
judges about if they are only sought after, and 
the wider the circle from which censors are 
selected the greater will be the confidence 
inspired in the management. There is a 
growing feeling in the Chrysanthemum world 
that only some half-dozen select persons have 
sufficient ability to make awards, but the 
notion is so absurd that it cannot be too 
quickly scotched. 
- ->:£<« - 
A Pink Chrysanthemum, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy.— 
Mr. John Thorpe states, in an American exchange, that 
he has heard of a pink Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, which is 
likely to be seen this season. 
Chrysanthemum Tabes, &c.—IVe learn that at the 
Chiswick Conference last week Mr. Falconer Jameson, 
of Hull, was awarded Certificates of Merit for a spring 
cup raiser, and for a name holder. Mr. Harland, of 
Hull, also received a similar award for a cup raiser. 
Mr. Richard Smith Carrington, head of the firm 
of Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., St. John’s Nurseries, 
Worcester, was on Saturday last elected Mayor of the 
Faithful City for the ensuing year. Mr. Carrington’s 
name is the only horticulturist’s we recognise in the 
list of mayors elected on the same day. 
The Mildness of the Season in Scotland was well 
illustrated on, Monday—gardeners’ Term day in Edin¬ 
burgh—by a stand of twenty-four Dahlias being shown 
by Mr. Downie, many of which would have been good 
enough to put in a stand in their season. We under¬ 
stand that a great number of men changed places this 
term. 
A Munificent Gift to London.—At the meeting of 
the London County Council on Tuesday, Lord Rosebery 
read a letter from Sir Sidney Waterlow offering to 
present to the Council his estate on the southern slope 
of Highgate Hill. The property is nearly twenty-nine 
acres in extent, and freehold, with the exception of 
two and three-quarter acres. Sir Sidney stated his 
readiness to give £6,000 to be used either for the 
purchase of the freehold interest in the latter portion, 
or for laying out the estate as a public park. 
“ The Finest Trade Show in the Country.”—A cor¬ 
respondent writes :—Riding through Cheshire this week 
I noticed a bold advertisement headed “ Centenary of 
the Chrysanthemum—the Finest Trade Show in the 
Country/’ and the nurseryman whose advertisement it 
was gave out that to enable those who cannot get from 
business during the week to see the show, his nuasery 
would be open from 2.30 to 5 o’clock on Sunday after¬ 
noons. I was tempted to go and see this wonderful show, 
but not on a Sunday, and was grievously disappointed. 
I found some plants in two small houses, but there was 
not a good flower or a decently well-grown plant among 
them. In fact, it was a “sell,” and I was one of the 
sold. Poor man, I could but pity his ignorance ! 
The Seed Harvest of 1889.—Messrs. James Carter 
& Co., in their annual report, announce that Peas 
generally are scarcer this year than last; the English 
crop is extremely short, and American and New 
Zealand advices are of a similar character. Broad Beans 
are a full crop, but good bright level samples are not 
plentiful; Runner Beans, notwithstanding the mild 
autumn, do not promise to be above the average. The 
Onion crop is practically a failure, both in England 
and on the Continent. Cabbage seed will prove a 
short crop ; and the Carrot seed crop will come out 
short, the wet weather that has attended the ripening 
of the seed being very destructive. Potato crops, not¬ 
withstanding the ravages of disease amongst certain 
sorts in some districts, promises to be a very good one 
generally, and moderate prices may be expected to rule 
for a considerable time. 
The American World's Fair of 1892.—Th t American 
Garden states that it knows personally that scores of 
leading European nurserymen are looking forward to a 
grand display at New York in ’92, and it goes without 
saying that their American brothers will not be back¬ 
ward in following up the greatest opportunity they will 
ever know for the exhibition of their trees, shrubs, 
vines, flowers, fruits and vegetables. “Unfortunately, 
while horticulture can and would do more than any 
other industry to make the fair beautiful and attractive, 
it must also have more time on the grounds in which to 
bring its exhibits to perfection, for nothing short of the 
growing plants will suffice to make a creditable show in 
this age. Europe is so far ahead of America in garden¬ 
ing that we must have the best of talent and ample 
time in which to prepare for our critics in this 
particular.” 
The Fruit Crops in America.—The same journal 
also says: —“If we may accept the reports of New 
York market-men as a criterion, the fruit crop of the 
past season has been far from satisfactory. If possible, 
the vegetable crop has been still worse. The early, 
severe, and prolonged rains, the cold and wet of mid¬ 
summer, and the heavy storms of the harvest season, 
particularly in the east, have all conspired to make the 
past season one of great discouragements to the grower.” 
Rose Culture in New South Wales.— The Sydney 
Morning Herald, of September 28th, devotes a con¬ 
siderable amount of space to a description of the Roses 
grown at the Standard Nursery, Homebush, by Mr. 
Charles Bennett, who, we are pleased to see, is making 
for himself an honourable name and reputation in the 
colony. Mr. Bennett, who is a son of the famous 
raiser of pedigree Roses — Mr. Henry Bennett, of 
Shepperton—went out to Sidney in search of health a 
few years ago, and it will afford great pleasure to the 
many friends he left behind to know that he is able 
now to conduct the business he has embarked in with 
“ considerable energy and perseverance.” He has had 
all the best Roses sent out to him, and they appear to 
be giving no little satisfaction in the colony, which has 
long been somewhat behind the times in matters 
horticultural. Mr. Bennett is also doing much good in 
introducing from home the best varieties of hardy 
fruits ; and, we believe, soon intends to add Dahlias 
and Chrysanthemums to his list of specialties. Though 
not associated with his father in the business at home, 
Mr. Bennett often proved himself a skilful manipulator 
of plants “difficult to do,” and we heartily wish him 
an overflowing measure of success in the land of his 
adoption. 
The Manchester Botanical Gardens. — A public 
meeting was held in the Mayor's parlour at the Town 
Hall, Manchester, last week, the Earl of Derby pre¬ 
siding, to consider the position and future prospects of 
the Botanical Gardens at Old Trafford. The chairman, 
after commenting on the special report of the council, 
said the question before them was, what would Man¬ 
chester do for the society ? That was what they 
wanted to know, and it was to ascertain this that the 
meeting had been called. There were two objects in 
view—one, the increase of the number of subscribers, 
and the other, the clearing off of the debt upon the 
gardens, which now, he believed, amounted to some¬ 
thing like £6,000. He thought an appeal ought to be 
addressed to the people of Manchester, and circulated 
