218 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 5, 1896. 
Japanese variety, perhaps, was Madame Clemence 
Audiguier. That grew to the enormous height of 
14 ft. Now, some of the best produce their blooms 
at a height of only 4 ft. Then again, the incurved 
varieties were all the rage fifteen or twenty years 
ago ; now, these stiff Chinese productions are being 
ousted by the more elegant Japanese, which are so 
much better adapted to decorative purposes. On 
this account, too, a great impetus has lately been 
given to the growth of single flowering Chrysanthe¬ 
mums. They are easy to cultivate ; they blossom 
profusely in many varieties of form and colour, and 
some of them are beautifully scented. There is one 
at least, Mrs. Langtry, with a small flower of a 
delicate shade of pink, which has the scent of 
violets." 
" How do the raisers manage to get a different 
scent into Chrysanthemums." 
■' I have no idea. The art or business of raising 
new varieties is almost in its infancy in England ; 
but many exhibitors are now giving a good deal of 
attention to it. We may, I think, look for great 
results shortly from the efforts of English raisers, 
and see them quite on a par with foreign rivals. 
The latter have, of course, some considerable advan¬ 
tage over us in the matter of climate. The French, 
who were the earliest in the field, ripened the seed in 
Algeria ; the Americans have been large contributors 
of new varieties for many years past, and there is no 
doubt that Australian raisers will make some 
valuable additions to the list. But the English 
specialists, as I have said, are hybridising from the 
best parents, and there is no reason why they should 
not succeed, for the Chrysanthemum is really a 
hardy European plant." 
" Do varieties of this flower get exhausted in 
course of time,” it was asked, “like Potatos and 
other products ? ” 
“ Oh, yes. After some years of hard work in the 
hands of exhibitors, the constitution of the plant 
becomes worn out, so to speak. Generally speaking, 
very few of them live over ten years, so that new 
varieties must be introduced 1 to keep the pot 
a-boiling.’ ” 
“ And do you look with favour upon the production 
of these monstrous flowers ? " 
“ Certainly, if the quality is also maintained. 
By quality I mean depth—or what is commonly 
called ‘ build,’ without coarseness of petal—and 
bright individual colouring according to the variety. 
A crimson variety should be crimson, for instance, 
not pink or washy in tint." 
“ So many varieties," it was urged, “ seem to be 
so much alike that no ordinary observer can tell the 
difference." 
“ You want to live with them,” said Mr. Molyneux, 
" and then you would soon see that there is a 
difference. I myself see all the best flowers that are 
exhibited every year, and can carry with me a store 
of information as I go along. My plan of judging is 
to give a certain number of points, varying from a 
fixed maximum, to every individual flower in a 
group, and to award the prizes to that group which 
gets the highest aggregate of points. Here you may 
see, from the note-book I had at the Aquarium 
show, that one exhibitor beat another by a few 
points only, and in one instance actually by half a 
point. It is the only safe and proper method, and 
I am always ready to give reasons for my decision." 
“ What are in jour opinion the best varieties? " 
“ Well, the different types of flowers, if one may 
use that term, are almost innumerable,but the semi- 
drooping or tasselled varieties are the more popular. 
These include such examples as Viviand Morel; 
Madame Carnot, which is perhaps the finest white 
Chrysanthemum of all ; and the Suffolk seedling, 
Edith Tabor, a yellow flower equal to any of that 
colour. More crimsons are needed, and here Edwin 
Molyneux still holds its own. That was introduced 
by Mr. Cannell from Japan, and raised by and 
named after me. Of new sorts this year, the 
American importation, Modesto, a bright yellow, 
is very prominent, and also a beautiful white variety 
named Simplicity. Last year’s novelties that are 
holding their own include Phoebus and Mrs. H. 
Weeks, a white, very faintly blushed." [“And 
don’t forget the beautiful single variety, Mrs. A. E. 
Stubbs," said the modest gentleman who answers to 
that name, and was listening to this conversation.] 
“The first of the hirsute varieties," Mr. Molyneux 
went on, in answer to a question, “ was Mrs. Alpheus 
Hardy, which came in some years ago, and was very 
popular. Since then, many others have been intro¬ 
duced with this peculiar characteristic, but the 
colours are indistinct, and they are not easy to grow, 
nor elegant when grown." 
Mr. Molyneux had but little further time to spare, 
for luncheon was waiting, and he had afterwards to 
catch the train, en route for Hull, and thence to 
Edinburgh. He added, however, that the first 
Chrysanthemum show was held at Norwich, and 
that there are now 150 well-established shows in the 
kingdom, exclusive of those held in small towns. 
“ If you want to know more of the subject," he said, 
with a twinkle in his eye, “get my book, entitled 
‘Chrysanthemums and their Culture,' which is 
published at the popular price of is., and is now in 
its ninth edition ."—East Anglian Daily Times. 
- -*• - 
CHRYSAN THEMU M SHOWS. 
TWICKENHAM. — Nov. 17 th. and 18 th. 
The twenty-eighth annual show of the Twickenham 
Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society, was held 
in the Twickenham Town Hall. For a group of 
Chrysanthemums occupying a space of 50 sq. ft. 
Mr. Rickwood, gardener to Lady Freake took first 
prize, the second going to Mr. Sage, gardener to 
Earl Dysart, Ham House. For a group of miscella¬ 
neous flowering and foliage plants, Mr. Fordham, 
Twickenham Nurseries, was awarded first place. 
For a basket of plants arranged for effect Mr. 
Allsopp, gardener to W. Cunard, Esq., was placed 
first, being followed by Mr. Macgregor, gardener to 
Lady Hay. Mr. Smith, gardener to —Odium, Esq., 
being the only competitor in the class for a group of 
Orchids occupying a table space of 10 sq., ft. was 
awarded first prize. For eighteen blooms of 
Japanese varieties Mr. E. Coombe, gradener to W. 
Furze, Esq., was an easy first, Mr. G. Osman 
taking first place for eighteen incurved. Mr. 
Allsopp had the best twelve Japs., also best twelve 
incurved. For six incurved blooms Mr. R. W. 
Cawte was placed first with nice blooms of Miss M. 
A. Haggas ; and Mr. E. Coombe, with six blooms of 
Niveus took the lead for six Japs. A leading 
feature of the show was the table decoration classes, 
which were keenly contested, although the space 
allotted was somewhat limited, so that the competi¬ 
tors had scarcely full justice. The stands, baskets, 
and bouque s being crowded together in front of a 
group of scarlet Pelargoniums and Bouvardias, the 
effect was not altogether harmonius. For the best 
single stand Miss. C. B. Cole took the first prize with 
an exceedingly light and pretty arrangement. The 
same exhibitor took first honour for buttonholes 
and sprays, also first for an ornamental basket 
of dried seed pods and berries for drawing room 
decoration. Mrs. Waite was first for a bouquet of 
Chrysanthemums. 
For a collection of vegetables, six kinds, Mr. C. J. 
Waite took the lead with superb specimens of Ailsa 
Craig Onions, Supreme Potato, Perfection Tomato, 
Intermediate Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, and Cauli¬ 
flowers. Amongst the exhibits not for competition 
was a collection of Apples (about fifty dishes) from 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, 
Norwood Road, London ; also a large collection of 
finely-coloured and well finished Apples tastefully 
arranged in baskets with foliage, contributed by 
Mr. W. Poupart, Marsh Farm, Twickenham. 
Vegetables in the cottagers’ classes were creditable 
although theentries were not numerous. 
HELENSBURGH, Nov 18 th. 
The 16th annual show of the Helensburgh Chrysan¬ 
themum Society, the oldest of its kind in Scotland, 
was held on the above date. It was not quite up to 
its usual standard in some respects. The tables for cut 
Chrysanthemums and foliage were, however, a fine 
feature and a great advance on previous years. 
There were four competitors. Mr. Forsyth, gardener 
to — Paterson, Esq., Row, was first; and was followed 
by Mr. McIntyre, gardener to — Buchanan, Esq. 
Both of the above exhibits were well staged, the 
blooms and foliage being combined with judgment. 
Competition was not very keen in some of the cut 
bloom classes ; for instance, there were only two 
entries in the class for twenty-four blooms in 
eighteen varieties. Mr. Forsyth was again first with 
an even lot of clean and fresh blooms. Mr. 
Cummings made a good second, his blooms being a 
little past their best, and therefore not quite in 
character. The incurved section was not strongly 
represented. Mr. Ross was the principal prize- 
taker for pot plants, thus following up his success at 
Glasgow. Table plants were nicely shown Mr. 
McIntyre, who had a clean, well-grown lot, taking 
the leading award ; whilst Mr. H. Campbell was 
second. Mr. McIntyre again took the lead for 
foliage plants. 
Primulas, Cinerarias, and similar plants were well 
shown and made a fine display. Mr. Byron is the 
energetic secretary of this society ; and he decorated 
the platform with a pretty arrangement of foliage 
plants and floral devices, adding much to the 
appearance of the show. We are indebted to Mr, 
T. Dale, of Aikenhead, who was one of the judges of 
the show for our report. 
AYR. — Nov. i8f/;. 
The annual Chrysanthemum show was held in the 
Town Hall, Ayr. The entries were fully up to the 
average, but the outstanding feature of the whole 
show was the magnificent display of pot plants. 
Ayr is noted for this particular class of exhibit, but 
for quality and number of exhibits the present show 
was far ahead of anything previously staged, and we 
quite agree with Mr. Rushton, the judge, when he 
said “ that he did not think that there was anything 
in Scotland to equal the exhibit shown by Mr. James 
Thompson, gardener to Richard Niven, Esq., Airlie 
House," who deservedly gained the County Challenge 
Cup for four pot Chrysanthemums, various. One of 
his specimens, Viviand Morel, stood 8 ft. high in the 
estimation of the judge, and was a mass of bloom of 
fine rich colour, while his three other pots came 
closely behind. Mr. Ganby, gardener to P. Davidson, 
Esq., Glendoon, who has been winner of the cup for 
the last three years, followed closely ; while Mr. T. 
Gordon, who was third, was equally praiseworthy. 
In the cut bloom class, Mr. D. Buchanan, Bargany, 
gained the “ Land of Burns ” Chrysanthemum Cup 
with eighteen blooms of splendid quality and colour. 
Some of his blooms should deservedly be noted, 
namely, Viviand Morel, Thomas Wilkins, Chas. 
Davis, Duke of York, Rose Wynne, and Mdlle. 
Therese Rey. Mr. Halliday, Craigengellion, came 
second; and another exhibitor who also showed 
good form was Mr. T. GordoD, who made a close 
third 
In the floral decorative class Mr. Ganby was first 
with six greenhouse flowers, and also obtained 
second place for two ladies' sprays ; Miss Beveridge 
getting first and Mr. Gordon third. But the latter 
was more successful for floral bouquets, gaining the 
premier position in both classes. Altogether the 
show was a great success. Despite the unpropitious 
weather, which, unfortunately, spoiled the attendance 
a little in the fore part of the day, the large number 
which came at night made up the deficiency. Mr. 
H. Stewart, Alloway Place, was also a successful 
exhibitor. 
Special credit should be given to the courteous 
secretary, Mr. Thompson, and his committee for the 
able manner in which the arrangements were carried 
out. 
ABERDEEN. — Nov. 20 th and 21 st. 
An interesting venture was made at Aberdeen in the 
attempt to resuscitate a Chrysanthemum show after 
a lapse of eleven years, the last being held in 1885 
The show of the above date was held in the Art 
Gallery, School Hill, and was an encouraging 
success as far as cut flowers of Chrysanthemums, 
fruit, and vegetables were concerned. The show was 
opened by Captain Pirie, M.P., Mr. A. O. Gill, pre¬ 
siding. Mr. James Murray (chairman of the 
Aberdeen Horticultural Society), Glenburnie Park, 
the Hon. Mrs. Pirie and Mrs. Murray, were also on 
the platform. The show was got up by a committee, 
independently of the society, though not in opposition, 
as Captain Pirie remarked in the course of his 
speech. There were about 250 entries. 
The Hon. Mrs. Pirie presented the handsome 
special prizes, consisting chiefly of plate, as follows : 
—The handsome teapot, offered by the Ichthemic 
Guano Co , for twenty-four Japanese blooms, went 
to Mr. James Grant, gardener to Lady Carnegie, 
Crimonmogate, who had a magnificent collection of 
blooms that would have done credit to a London 
exhibition. He had likewise the N. C. S. Bronze 
Medal for twelve incurved blooms. Mr. William 
Ogg, MorkeD, was a good second for the twenty- 
four Japs. Mr. E. Norman, Sloneywood, had the 
