164 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 14, 1896. 
but the same name in two or more foreign 
languages may be sufficiently distinctive to 
be passed over in silence. Such a catalogue 
as that before us is all the more a necessity 
in order to keep us correctly informed. 
A few alterations have been made in the 
compilation of this catalogue. The reflexed 
Japanese varieties have been dropped as a 
section because there are many instances 
in which the distinctions between them and 
the true Japanese type are so fine that 
many are unable to see them. We admit 
the truth of this ; but while the incurved 
Japanese varieties have been retained as a 
section, some of them, such as Mrs. H. 
Weeks, require close scrutiny to determine 
in which section they should be placed 
owing to the variations in individual blooms, 
under different conditions and in different 
stages of development. Indeed, nature is 
so variable in her progeny as to defy classi¬ 
fication in many cases. A section has been 
founded for hairy varieties, which at first 
sight are distinct enough, though the cata¬ 
logue admits that they mostly belong to the 
incurved Japanese section. Their hairy or 
bearded character would be greatly con¬ 
cealed if the florets were reflexed, because 
the beard is confined to the back and tip of 
the florets. The hairy section includes no 
less than 22 selected varieties. 
With the select lists belonging to the 
various sections, there is little room for 
fault-finding. They have been selected by 
a Catalogue Committee consisting of 30 
growers and connoisseurs or experts, in all 
parts of the country, subjected to the censor¬ 
ship, of a Revision Committee of five, 
namely Messrs. D. B. Crane, H. J. Jones, 
W. H. Lees, A. Taylor, and the hon., 
secretary Mr. C. Harman Payne, whose 
duties evidently have been to record those 
having a large or reasonably large number 
of votes. To the descriptions we should 
have liked the catalogue to have recorded 
whether the varieties gave the best blooms 
from the first or second crown, or terminal 
bud, abbreviated to 1st C., 2nd C., and T., 
respectively. It would have been a great 
aid to beginners and others particularly in 
the case of new varieties, for the question is 
really an important one. 
The alphabetical list has been amended 
in a manner for which we and all concerned 
cannot be too thankful. Instead of classify¬ 
ing the names under the Christian names 
of Mr., Mrs., Miss, M. &c., the surname is 
taken first as all true alphabetical lists or 
dictionaries should be. Even then there is 
a disparity of opinion in some cases, such as 
Globe d’Or and Perled’Or. To obviate that 
difficulty, the names are repeated in reverse 
fashion, as Or, Globe d’ and Or, Perle d’. 
The Revision Committee of the catalogue in 
question is not alone in this respect. 
Furthermore, the alphabetical list includes 
only new varieties raised or sent out since 
the spring of 1890. We advise our readers 
to carefully preserve their old catalogues as 
well as the various supplements, which will 
be handy for reference at any time in look¬ 
ing up the correct nomenclature of old, as 
well as new varieties. 
TL ESSONS OF THE GREAT CHRYSANTHEMUM 
^ Show.— Now that the great annual 
tournament of Chrysanthemums held under 
the auspices of the National Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society is a thing of the past, we 
may take it for granted that a large number 
of gardeners throughout the length and 
breadth of the country have made observa¬ 
tions and taken notes that will prove service¬ 
able against another year. One thing was 
made apparent to most people, namely, that 
it is useless to expect a first prize in any 
leading class of Japanese varieties unless 
the bulk of their blooms consists of new or 
comparatively recently raised varieties. 
There is no question that size is a point 
that carries great weight with the judges ; 
and gardeners, generally, acquiesce in that 
opinion themselves. Wherever competition 
was strong, the leading or prize-taking 
stands were very nearly of equal merit, and 
small or lightly built flowers were passed 
by, whatever their other qualities might be. 
An inspection of the Japanese varieties 
showed that the bulk of them, we should 
say, nine-tenths, have been raised or put 
into commerce within the last six years. 
The incurved or Chinese varietes on the 
contrary were more conservative, as they 
have been for many years past, because 
progress in that section is slow or greatly 
restricted. We noted some which originated 
away back in the forties, fifties and sixties, 
including Queen of England (1847), Alfred 
Salter (1856), Empress of India (1861), 
Empress Eugenie (1865), and Barbara 
(1869.) Such varieties go to prove that 
they are either the best of their kind or indis¬ 
pensable to a good representative collection. 
The old champion growers of trained 
specimens would be difficult tabeat in their 
own particular line ; and very few ever try 
conclusions against them. The great 
amount of house-room required to house 
those monster specimens prevents a large 
number of cultivators from proving their 
skill in this particular direction. Singularly 
enough the reflexed section of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums was unrepresented in the classes for 
cut blooms during the first two days’ exhi¬ 
bition, at which exhibitors seemed surprised 
and made amends for it on the 5th inst. 
We regard them as forming a very conven¬ 
tional section, badly defined and decadent. 
They are practically forbiden to increase in 
size, and new varieties that exceed the 
limits are dubbed as reflexed Japanese, too 
big for the reflexed type, too small for the 
Japanese,practically useless for any purpose, 
and hooted off the show boards accordingly. 
Another strange incongruity we noted 
was Perle Dauphinoise, by many regarded 
as an incurved Japanese variety, but too 
small to be of any service on the exhibition 
table. Notwithstanding this, it appeared 
amongst the 24 incurved varieties forming 
part of the first-prize exhibit in the affiliated 
Societies’ competition. It passed muster as 
an incurved or Chinese variety, nem. con., 
beyond the feeble protest that it possessed a 
small drop of Japanese blood in it. C. H. 
Curtis came into the same category. Both 
added materially to the appearance of the 
stands. It is largely a question of cultiva¬ 
tion as to whether Perle Dauphinoise 
finishes neatly and compactly,or rough. The 
same applies to several other comparatively 
new, incurved, sorts, which develop the best 
blooms from the second crown buds. There 
ought to be a great future before the single 
varieties, for many of them are really beauti¬ 
ful and deserve encouragement. We should 
like to see more rivalry in the tasteful 
arrangement and presentation of them. 
-- 
Snow on the summit of Ben Nevis already lies to 
the depth of 17 in. 
Mr. Wm. Hutchinson, gardener to YV. H. Lumsden, 
Esq., of Balmedie, has been appointed head gardener 
to D. Tod, Esq., of Eastwood Park, Giffnock, 
Renfrewshire. 
Edinburgh Seed Trade.— The Annual dinner of the 
Seed Trade Assistants of Edinburgh will be held in 
Aitchison's Rooms, 75, Queen Street, on Thursday 
evening, December 3rd, at 8.15 p.m. prompt, under 
the presidency of Mr. Sclater. It is desirable that 
all who intend being present should intimate their 
names to members of committe, or the undersigned, 
on or before 27th November, to enable the com¬ 
mittee to make the necessary arrangements.— A. 
Chalmers, Secretary and, Treasurer. 
Messrs. George Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, are to 
stage 100 dishes of their far-famed hardy fruits at 
the forthcoming Edinburgh Chrysanthemum Show 
on the 19th, 20th, and 21st inst. The northern 
capital will thus have an opportunity of seeing what 
the southern one often sees. 
Tunbridge Wells Gardeners.— There was a meeting 
of this society at the Club Hall, Camden Road, on 
the 3rd inst., under the presidency of Mr. Charlton. 
Some certificates were awarded for plants and 
flowers on the tables. Points were also gained by 
Mr. Booth and Mr. Palmer for Crotons; by Mr. 
Bridger for Apples ; by Mr. Berwick for Dracaenas ; 
and by Mr. Greengoe for Leeks. Some fungi were 
exhibited, and it was decided to give points for such 
in the future. An amusing discussion arose as to 
which fungi were edible, one member asking whether 
those who advised the eating of certain fungi would 
risk eating their specimens ? No answer. 
Fruit from the Royal Gardens.— At the Chrysanthe¬ 
mum and fruit show of the Royal Horticultural 
Society of Ireland, which opened at Ballsbridge, 
Dublin, on the 4th inst., a magnificent collection of 
fruit, consisting of nearly 200 dishes was exhibited 
by Mr. Owen Thomas, gardener to Her Majesty, 
Royal Gardens, Windsor. Mr. Thomas was sent 
over specially to see the fruit staged, and Her 
Majesty directed that at the close of the show the 
fruit should be sent to the Hospital for Incurables at 
Doonybrook, for distribution amongst the inmates. 
Woolton Mutual Improvement Society —The usual 
meeting of this society was held on Thursday of last 
week, Mr. G. Haigh occupying the chair. The 
subject for consideration was a paper by Mr. R. G. 
Waterman, entitled *■ Should we Import Fruit, 
Flowers and Vegetables ? ” the essayist gave 
statistics of the enormous quantities of horticultural 
produce that were imported, with the countries that 
they came from, and the manner that they were 
distributed. The value of many kinds was compared 
with that of our own raising, which led up to the 
most important point, “ could the same be raised in 
England with satisfactory results to the producer 
and consumer ? ” To arrive at this position it was 
recommended that special care must be given as to 
suitable localities, soil, and shelter. That the most 
approved kinds be grown and that the cultural 
details be thoroughly understood. A ver y interesting 
discussion followed in which Messrs. R. Tod, T. 
Carling, J. McColl and others took part, the 
principal points touched upon being compensation 
for unexhausted improvements, railway carriage, and 
liberal cultivation. A vote of thanks to the 
lecturer concluded the proceedings. 
Grand Yorkshire Gala Grants to Charities —The 
other week a general meeting of guarantors and life 
members of the Grand Yorkshire Gala was held at 
Harker’s Hotel, York, under the presidency of Sir 
Joseph Terry, J.P. The following resolution had 
been received from the Royal Horticultural Society : 
—“ The council of this society having heard from 
members of the deputation attending the York 
Gala of the great kindness and hospitality 
extended to them by the Lord Mayor and 
Lady Mayoress of York and by the chairman 
and committee of the Gala, wish to express to 
his lordship and the Lady Mayoress, and to all the 
members of the committee their very best thanks 
and sincere appreciation of the courtesy shown to 
their deputation." The chairman moved “ That the 
life members and guarantors of the Grand Yorkshire 
Gala beg to tender their grateful thanks to the Right 
Hon. the Lord Mayor (Aid. Milward, Esq., J.P ), and 
the Lady Mayoress for their generous hospitality in 
entertaining the deputation from the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society on the occasion of their last annual 
fete." On the motion of Mr. Hodgson seconded by 
Mr. Henry Scott, the following grants were made :— 
York County Hospital, £30; York Dispensary, £30 ; 
York Lunatic Asylum, £20 ; York Home for Nurses, 
£10 \ York Home for Friendless Girls, ^5; and St. 
Stephen’s Orphanage, £5. It was resolved to hold 
next year’s gala on the i6tb, 17th and iSth June. 
Extract from a Lecture or “ Foods " by Dr. Andrew 
Wilson.—" The consumption of cocoa happily increases year 
by year. I say ‘ happily,’ because, as tea and coffee are not 
foods, while cocoa is a true food, any increase in the national 
nutrition means an increase in the national prosperity. 
Winter, besides, is close upon us, and I advise those who are 
susceptible to colds to fortify themselves against chill by 
attention to their food. The easiest way of effecting this end 
for many is to substitute cocoa (Epp's being the most 
nutritious) for tea and coffee.” 
