November 30, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
201 
sponding to the reverse of a flat one, while the upper 
surface of the lamina is carmine-violet. This latter 
portion is very variable, being one to three-lobed, with 
the sinus between each lobe reflexed, forming a long 
tooth. The filaments of the stamens are united into a 
tube, while the anthers, contrary to the usual rule in the 
Composites, are free, but more or less] flattened out, 
forming one to three petals, which usually extend 
beyond the tube of the true corolla, making the floret 
semi-double in many cases. Occasionally two of them 
unite into a bifid piece, with the sinus between them 
reflexed, like what occurs in the outer corolla. This 
variety is a strong grower, reaching the height of 7 ft., 
with medium-sized compact heads.— J. F. 
Hairy-flowered Chrysanthemums. 
It is claimed for the new white Japanese Chrysanthe¬ 
mum, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, that the hairs on the back 
of the florets constitute a “peculiarity confined 
exclusively to this variety.” This, however, is not 
exactly the case, as has long been known to us, 
although it must be said that nowhere does this 
development attain such conspicuous perfection as in 
the variety which has this season been the lion of the 
shows. Many of the out-growths are so stout at the 
base as to be something more than mere hairs, although 
that term will be continued to be applied to them. It 
is fortunate that the florets are incurved, otherwise the 
beauty of the hairs would have been lost. 
It may not be known to every Chrysanthemum 
grower that the backs of the florets of the beautiful 
reflexed Cullingfordi are very conspicuously pubescent, 
and more so in some blooms than others, while only 
half expanded ; but when perfectly developed, of course 
the hairs are quite concealed. Putney George is a 
reflexed Japanese that is also pubescent along the mid¬ 
rib. In like manner, John Salter is furnished with a 
few coarse outgrowths from the midrib, and they are 
relatively as coarse as in the case of Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. 
In all these cases the hairs are rendered less con¬ 
spicuous than they otherwise would be by the dark 
colour of the florets bearing them. The wide distribution 
of the hairs is, however, evidenced from the fact that 
they are present amongst the Japanese incurved, 
reflexed and incurved varieties. In all cases, however, 
the hairs are simple and not branched, so that they 
cannot in the true sense be’ described as feathery, 
although the florets of Mrs. Alpheus Hardy have been 
so spoken of and compared to the tips of ostrich 
feathers. There is, however, a slight tendency towards 
a branched condition in the hairs upon Source Japonaise, 
otherwise known as R. Ballantine, many of which are 
forked, and others hooked. They are, moreover, more 
numerous and much more conspicuous on the back of 
the incurved florets of this light violet Japanese variety, 
than on any of the above mentioned. In our last issue 
(p. 183) we noticed a number of related varieties, 
sports from one original, in connection with a bloom of 
Mrs. N. Davis, which had behaved in a very curious 
way. The outgrowths from the back of the florets ot 
that variety are often considerably branched, forked, 
and hooked, but they all occur near the apex of the floret. 
The pronounced character of the hairiness in Mrs. 
Alpheus Hardy will be certain to tempt florists and 
seed raisers for years to come to try and obtain 
differently coloured varieties similarly clothed with 
hairs, and no doubt they will be forthcoming, pro¬ 
vided seed can be obtained, as a result of crossing Source 
Japonaise or Cullingfordi and Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. It 
will be interesting, at any rate, to watch the progress of 
events in this direction. Many no doubt will try the 
experiment, and we hope not all will be unsuccessful. 
The later flowers that have been seen of Mrs. Alpheus 
Hardy were much better than those which we saw first, 
the incurved form being more perfect, and such an 
one we illustrate to-day, the specimen coming from 
Messrs. John Laing k Sons, who have this season made 
a great stride onwards in their “ Mum ” cultivation. 
Floral Committee Meeting of the N. C. S. 
On Wednesday last, a meeting of this committee was 
held at the Westminster Aquarium, Mr. R. Ballantine 
presiding. A considerable variety of blooms was exhi¬ 
bited, the largest contributors being Mr. E. Beckett, 
Aldenham Park Gardens, Elstree ; and Mr. R. Owen, 
Maidenhead. It was felt that few of the varieties 
shown were seen at their best, and the light being very 
bad, what merit they did possess was not seen to the 
best advantage. Several appeared to be most promising, 
among these being included the new American incurved, 
Ada Spaulding; and a fine crimson-red Japanese, 
named W. W. Cowles, a flower of the Yal d’Andorre type 
the committee would like to see again. Only one First 
Class Certificate was awarded, viz., to Mr. Beckett, for 
Volunteer, a large and very fine blush-pink Japanese 
which promises to make a grand exhibition bloom. 
Mr. Owen also exhibited three blooms of a sport from 
Lord Alcester, named John Lambert, and which origi¬ 
nated at Onslow Hall. It resembles very much a light 
Golden Queen, and the committee asked to see it again. 
Mr. Deane, Cassiobury Gardens, Watford, sent half-a- 
dozen grand blooms of Etoile de Lyon, and received a 
vote of thanks. Messrs. Heath & Sons, Cheltenham, 
exhibited a hybrid Lielia, named L. Tresederiana ; but 
the light was so bad nothing could be made of it. 
-- 
CHUROHTOWN WINTER GAR¬ 
DENS, SOUTHPORT. 
Visitors to that favourite watering place, Southport, 
can amuse themselves in various ways, as the place is 
well provided with parks and winter gardens. When I 
am staying in the town, I always take a run out to 
Churchtown, which is easily reached by tramcar, the 
journey from Southport occupying under half-an-hour. 
The gardens are well kept, and the conservatory or 
winter garden is a fine building, rendered particularly 
gay at the present time with a grand lot of Chrysan¬ 
themums, among which all the best varieties are 
represented. Mr. Fish, the energetic and painstaking 
curator, also gives the public an idea of what specimens 
should be, as he has them measuring 3 ft. 6 ins. over, 
with upwards of sixty flowers on each, well trained and 
with good healthy foliage. I noticed Triomphe du Nord 
with eighty good flowers, and La Triumphant with 
sixty ; and I have seen no finer specimens at any of our 
leading shows for years past. The plants are arranged 
in three groups, each 140 ft. long, and the centre 
walk has a most imposing appearance, the bright 
flowers being backed up by various fine foliage plants, 
such as gigantic Draccenas, Yuccas, Eucalyptus, Ficus, 
and large bushes of Camellias. The house is also 
adorned with suspending baskets with graceful growing 
plants suitable for that purpose, all enhancing the 
general effect. I must not omit to mention that in 
this house, arranged at the extreme end, is a fine 
collection of succulent plants, including many Agaves, 
which attract great attention; a fine specimen of 
Agave hystrix being very noticeable. 
Adjoining this fine conservatory is a fernery, which, 
to my mind, is one of the most natural and best formed 
in the kingdom. The rockwork, with the waterfalls, 
cascades, &c., are most natural: the Ferns are well 
planted, intermixed in a charming manner and relieved 
by various Begonias, Woodwardias, and some noble 
Alsophilas, Dicksonias, Cyatheas, &c. Some distance 
from this range is a fine lot of vineries, w’here Grape 
growing is well carried out ; the fine bunches of 
Alicante, Lady Downes, Madresfield Court, &c., with 
good berries, well coloured and highly finished, were 
fit to adorn any table. 
Owing to the mildness of the season, many good 
things were in flower in the beds and borders, which 
really astonished me. One can imagine what sort of 
weather they have had, when I state that on the date 
of my visit, November 18th, I gathered from a bed of 
Primroses a good bunch from the many hundred flowers 
that were expanded ; one could almost have forgotten 
the season, and imagined spring was near. These are 
only a few passing notes taken on a very hurried visit, 
but gardening friends who may be in the district 
should see for themselves. They will, I am sure, be 
agreeably surprised with what there is to be seen, and 
should they be fortunate in meeting with Mr. Fish they 
will find a man of whom the craft may be proud.— 
Eusticus. 
-- 
THE GHENT CENTENARY 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. 
The hundred and fifty-third show of the Royal Agri¬ 
cultural and Botanical Society of Ghent, was opened on 
Sunday last in the Casino belonging to the society, and 
was especially reserved for the celebration of the hun¬ 
dredth anniversary of the introduction of the Chrysan¬ 
themum into Europe. The schedule published about 
twelve months ago comprised 123 classes for Chrysan¬ 
themums and other plants indigenous to China and 
Japan. More than half the number had entries, and 
in several cases the competition was severe. The 
exhibition was open to exhibitors of all nations, and 
an international jury of twenty members was selected 
by the society to adjudicate upon the exhibits. This 
jury, divided into two sections,'^was constituted as 
under. First section : President, Mr. John Laing, of 
Forest Hill. Secretary, Mr. L. Lubbers, of Brussels. 
Members, Messrs. Edwin Molyneux, C. Harman Payne, 
Chrysanthemum, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. 
