200 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 30, 1889. 
tfRO^ldl/RTl/S^. 
The Yellow Ground Carnations. 
Mr. DodWell’s paper on yellow-ground Carnations in 
your last issue, like all else that comes from his pen, is 
well fitted to provoke thought. And 1 am free to confess 
on a first reading of it I was not fully prepared to re¬ 
cognise the truth of the position he has taken up with 
regard to the yellow-ground flowers. When one first 
approaches the subject there seems to be no reason why 
we should not proceed, with respect to classification, 
precisely on the lines we find already laid down in the 
case of the white grounds. We see developed in these 
the flaked and' bizarred flowers, which we speak of as 
Carnations, and the edged flowers which are now the 
conventional Picotees. Then there are the indefinitely- 
marked flowers which go in with the “fancies.” 
Why, then, may we not proceed in the classification 
of the yellow grounds on the same sharply-defined 
lines as with the whites ? Why, in short, as Mr. Dean 
puts it, should not “yellow grounds be yellow,” just 
as whites are white ? Well, I take it, for this reason— 
that whereas white resembles a single note in music, 
yellow is like a whole scale , with the hues of deep buff 
and warm orange for its lower notes, ranging through 
the rich and lighter golds as the middle, up to the 
bright primrose and palest sulphurs as its highest 
tones. I think, therefore, Mr. Dodwell’s warning, that 
we are on a much broader basis with our yellow grounds 
than with the white, is a true and timely one. 
So much as regards the marked flowers ; but as to 
the seifs, there is no reason now why we should not 
separate them. So long as yellow-ground flowers were 
comparatively few, we had to show marked flowers and 
seifs together to make up the required numbers ; but 
there is no such necessity now, as both are abundant. 
Nor, in separating them, do we need to set up a class 
for yellow seifs ; they will fall naturally into their 
place with the other unicoloured flowers.— M. Rowan, 
Clapharn. 
I hope you will permit me to express the hearty 
pleasure and satisfaction with which I read the com¬ 
munication at p. 184 of your last issue from an old 
friend and mentor, Mr. Dodwell. I am delighted to 
note how completely he is in accord with me on this 
subject of the yellow grounds. 
I have for years been in search of the various 
forms, colours, and markings of this most diversified 
section of the Dianthus, and I have drawn largely 
from the continental growers therein. Whilst I 
admire to the full the perfection of markings, the 
clear grounds, the smooth edges, the substance and 
high quality seen in the English section, I have found 
an immensely increased diversity in the varieties sent 
to me from the Continent, obtained by seed therefrom. 
I have long thought how wide is the field thus 
opened, leading, as I am persuaded it will, not merely 
to the acceptance of all this wealth of form, colour and 
variety, but possibly, as I hope at least, to other and 
more artistic forms of display. This, I conceive, will 
give play to the higher faculties of grouping, combi¬ 
nation and contrast of colour, which at the present, to 
say the most for it, is but very limited indeed. 
Extension, not restriction, must ever be our motto ; 
we must seek to inform and interest the multitude, and 
not court the applause of a small minority. Very 
pleased indeed should I be to see the clear wire 
edge on the Picotee, or the flake brought to a definite 
bold stripe, but I shall not be withdrawn from my 
admiration of the neutral tints, the fawns, or the 
delicate flesh-pinks with their suffusion or flamings of 
scarlet, crimson, or lavender, and heartily I rejoice to 
observe the clear trumpet note our highly esteemed 
old leader has rung out to this end. — IV. Wardell, 
Luton. 
Auricula Gossip. 
“ R. D.,” in his interesting remarks on florists’ flowers 
in November (p. 152), has a few very pertinent words 
to say on the “ Primulaceous tendency of the Auricula 
to bloom in the autumn,” and asks for my opinion on 
the question, as to whether early potting is conducive 
to autumn flowering or not. In consequence of a 
painful illness, I have been unable to comply with his 
request before, but do so now with pleasure, for who 
could refuse such a request from one who labours so 
often and so ably in the columns of “ Ours ” in the 
interest of the beautiful Auricula ? My opinion, I well 
know, is at variance with that of many good growers, 
and I wish it to be distinctly understood that I give 
my own opinion only based upon my own practical 
experience and observation. I am firmly of opinion 
that early potting has but little influence upon 
autumn blooming, and I am as firmly convinced of the 
advantage of early potting. My plants were all re-potted 
before the month of May was out, and a large percentage 
of them have thrown up autumn trusses, yet I do not 
attribute the autumn flowering to early potting, but 
rather to the fact of their having lost so much foliage 
after the re-potting. 
This was brought about by an extra fine growth of 
foliage early in the season, and prolonging the season 
of bloom as long as possible by shading rather heavily 
and frequently sprinkling the floor of the house, and 
keeping the shingle on which the plants stood as damp 
as possible. All this was conducive to a sappy growth, 
and ought not to have been so prolonged. I was 
conscious at the time of the risk I was running, and 
that the plants must ultimately suffer for it, but 
having a glorious bloom, the temptation was too great 
to shorten its life by one single hour. 
My neighbour, Mr. Phillips, commenced re-potting 
immediately after the London show, and yet but a 
small percentage of his plants have thrown up autumn 
trusses. His plants of Lancashire Hero are the best I 
have ever seen of that grand old variety, and the same 
can be said of Smiling Beauty, Prince of Greens, and 
others. Now, had he delayed re-potting till June or 
July, I am satisfied he would not have got such fine 
growth. Depend upon it, a fine plant in the autumn 
will produce a fine bloom in the spring. I am glad to 
get all the growth I possibly can into my plants 
before winter sets in, and to do this I pot early, being 
careful never to let the plants suffer for want of water 
during the summer months. It is astonishing the 
amount of drought an Auricula plant will stand before 
showing signs of distress, but it must not be imagined 
it does not suffer while apparently thriving. Let a 
plant become thoroughly dry, and after watering it in 
the usual way for three or four weeks turn it out of the 
pot, when you will find the tips of the roots brown 
and rotten, and the centre of the ball of earth as dry as 
dust. I mention this because some people are terribly 
afraid of using the water-pot during the summer, 
thinking thereby to prevent autumn flowering. Plants 
so treated have always a stunted growth, and never 
give a generous head of bloom. 
The Auricula likes liberal treatment at all times. 
"Water should be given when required, let the time of 
year be what it may, but do not rush to the other 
extreme and deluge it, for if the soil becomes sodden 
the plant can never thrive. Hit the happy medium, 
and do not be frightened at a little autumn bloom. If 
the plants are strong and robust, there are but few 
varieties that will not recover in time to give a good 
head of bloom at the proper season. Many varieties 
have such a tendency to bloom in autumn, that no 
matter what the treatment may be, bloom they will as 
sure as autumn comes. Colonel Taylor, Prince of 
Greens, Rev. F. D. Horner, frequently Lancashire 
Hero, occasionally George Lightbody, and sorry to 
relate, that new and beautiful grey edge, Mabel, are 
great sinners. Marmion, a great acquisition to its class, 
a beautiful heavy-edged grey, is at present behaving 
admirably. In several collections that I occasionally 
see, not one has transgressed as yet. Acme is dread¬ 
fully wayward ; likewise Smiling Beauty, Conservative, 
and even Reliance are not to be relied upon. John 
Simonite is very sedate, not having once bloomed in 
the autumn with me. Of Mrs. Dodwell I have but 
little experience, having but one plant, and that is 
perfectly quiet. 
The seifs are a precocious lot; even the lovely Heroine 
is not content with showing off her beautiful form once 
a year, but as though conscious of her strength and 
beauty, puts forth her charms at a time when we 
would rather see her take a rest. Deal gently with 
her, my brother florists ; remember the glorious lustre 
she has shed upon this class, and allow her to throw her 
stem above the foliage, when astray in the autumn, 
before you think of picking off the pips. My first 
plant of her, the pride of my collection, measuring 
exactly 12 ins. across when growth was completed, was 
lost through impatience. In October, laying aside her 
centre leaves, she displayed an immense nest of pips, 
and in my anger I gouged them all out before even the 
stem could be seen. This unkindness she deeply re¬ 
sented, it was like stopping the circulation of her blood; 
in a short time the heart was in a soft pulpy state, 
nothing could save her, and she was lost to me for ever, 
but never to be forgotten. Mr. Barlow’s beautiful and 
matchless blue self, Mrs. Potts, is also too fast by half, 
and must needs try to bloom twice a year ; and as for 
Black Bess, she is quite unmanageable, blooming in 
September and again in November. 
“ What a fearful indictment!” I fancy I hear many 
readers say ; “all the best of the Auriculas are charged 
with such a dreadful sin ! ” It is only too true, and I 
must speak of them as I find them. Do not, however, 
become alarmed ; all, with few exceptions, will repent 
of the error of their ways, and will be found in glory 
next spring. When Colonel Taylor throws up a truss 
in autumn, it gives but a poor bloom in spring, and is 
useless for exhibition. If Prince of Greens throws up 
early in autumn, it will be but little the worse for it. 
As for the Rev. F. D. Homer, it will bloom twice in the 
autumn, and then throw a truss fit for a “ premier ” in 
class at present in commerce, has a grand constitu- 
spring ; it is head and shoulders above all others in its 
tion, and is a monument in itself to that noble florist, 
Mr. Ben Simonite, of Sheffield, the raiser of it. When 
Lancashire Hero sends up a truss in autumn it is spoilt 
for exhibition in spring, but will give plenty of off¬ 
sets. I have some fine plants of George Lightbody 
that threw up late in September, I am looking forward 
to giving me good heads of bloom in spring. They 
may require a little pushing on to get them in good 
time, but I believe they will do it. Acme is none the 
worse for going astray. In the autumn of 1888 all my 
plants of it bloomed, but I had some splendid trusses 
in time for the show—taking first prize in its class with 
it. Smiling Beauty was very fine in my first prize lot 
for six varieties, this also had bloomed the previous 
autumn. In my second prize lot of twelve was a fine 
Black Bess, and this had bloomed twice in the previous 
autumn. Of course, we would much rather our plants 
did not bloom out of season, but if they do there is but 
little cause for alarm. The present has been an excep¬ 
tional season for autumn flowering, but the weather has 
been so open and mild the plants have had time to 
recover, and it will be those that bloom in winter that 
will not be in in time for our next annual display.— 
T. E. H., Reading, Nov. 23 rd. 
-» X< — - 
CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. 
Reflexed Chrysanthemums. 
Will the dictum that Amy Furze is a Japanese reflexed 
be universally accepted ? and if so, why is a distinction 
made in favour of Cullingfordi, which, far more Japanese 
in character, is yet found in hundreds of stands of 
reflexed blooms about the country ? It may be at the 
Royal Aquarium needful to determine what varieties 
come under the heading of Japanese reflexed, because 
these classes are specially provided for them, but in the 
majority of shows no such distinction is made, only 
twelve reflexed blooms being invited, and no provision 
made in the schedule as to section. Amy Furze bears a 
far closer resemblance to the Christines than to other 
Japanese forms, and if Cullingfordi is to be regarded 
as the type of a Japanese reflexed, then is Amy Furze 
a long way removed from the type. Generally the 
petals are more erect than reflexed, in fact, quite of the 
Christine character. 
Were I judging reflexed flowers in stands, and the 
schedule laid down no conditions as to section, I should 
feel that no violation of the terms of the class would be 
found were both Amy Furze and Cullingfordi admitted. 
Both these varieties, in spite of any dictum of the 
National classifiers, are so close on the border line of 
the ordinary reflexed type that it would have been far 
wiser, having regard to the very limited range found in 
the ordinary reflexed section, to have placed both in 
the reflexed class, for neither come up to that ideal 
of a true Japanese reflexed found in Criterion, Madame 
Lacroix, Avalanche, and others, which are so un¬ 
mistakably Japanese. The case referred to by Mr. 
Murphy is one in which common sense and not the 
dictum of classifiers should have prevailed, and there 
being no conditions annexed to the schedules, judges 
should have taken the flowers as presented, and dealt 
with them on their merits.— A. D. 
A Doublf. Chrysanthemum. 
It is the popularly received notion that the bulk of 
Chrysanthemums are double ; but if we regard them 
from the same standpoint as we do a double Rose, 
Carnation, or Primula, their doubling is morphologically 
a very different thing. All the florets may be quilled, 
or split down one side and spread out flat, or the ray 
florets may be flat, and the disc ones quilled and less 
than half the length of the ray florets, as in the large 
Anemones ; but in all these cases the florets are merely 
elongated, and not double at all in the botanical sense 
of the term. The Japanese variety named Reduplicatum 
has, however, really double or’semi-double florets. The 
outer corolla has a long pale silvery rose tube, corre- 
