November 25, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
£01 
careful witb, and that is watering. We often harp 
upon this string, jet the string is still fresh, and as 
it gives the keynote to the other strings or items of 
culture, we perforce must continue to harp. Do not 
sow too deeply; shift by small measure, keep the 
plants clean, stout, and growing. 
- . - »i» - 
CHRYSANTHEMUM LADY HANHAM. 
From the original Viviand Morel three sports have 
originated in this country, namely, Charles Davis, 
Lady Hanham, and Mrs. J. Ritson, all of which be¬ 
long to the Japanese type of Chrysanthemum. 
Sports are chiefly confined to variations in colour, as 
in this case ; but on several occasions we have noted 
variations in form, though they do not appear to be 
either constant or popular. Strikingly distinct form 
helping to win prizes in open and frequently keen 
competition. The accompanying illustration of it, 
obligingly lent us by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, shows the form of the bloom, though much 
under the natural size. 
CHRYSflKTHEIDUIII SHOWS. 
BIRMINGHAM ,—November 7 th. 8tJi and gth. 
The great annual show was again held in the 
commodious Bingley Hall, Birmingham, and the 
results justified the use of that place in preference 
to confined premises in which the shows were held a 
few years ago. This great Midland show is so 
centrally situated, and access by rail so convenient, 
that we feel sure it would even be more successful if 
Esq., Edgbaston. For six Japanese specimens Mr. 
C.Brasier was again to the fore, showing fine plants of 
popular varieties for this kind of work. 
Another fine feature was furnished by the groups 
of Chrysanthemums intermixed with fine foliage 
plants. The competition was excellent, there beiDg 
no fewer than six entries in the class for groups of 
240 superficial feet each. A nice arrangement by 
Mr. J. V. Macdonald, gardener to E. H. Kenrick, 
Esq., secured him the leading award. He was 
followed by Mr. Brasier. Mr. J. Waldron took the lead 
in the other group, beating Mr. E. J. Muston easily. 
Dinner table decorations also showed some spirit, 
there being no less than nine of them, which 
attracted a considerable amount of attention from 
visitors. The first prize table consisted of a grace¬ 
ful arrangement of orafige-coloured Chrysanthemums 
Chrysanthemum Lady Hanham. 
and constancy are requisite for a Chrysanthemum to 
attain popularity. Amongst the four colour varie¬ 
ties named above Mrs. J. Ritson is not always 
strictly constant in colour, so that as far as our 
observations go it is the least popular of the four. 
Lady Hanham is a beautiful salmony-pink sport 
from Charles Davis, and though many had their 
misgivings at first with regard to its distinctness and 
constancy, we can say that it has come well up to 
optimistic expectations, if its frequency upon the 
show-boards is any guarantee. It was plentifully 
exhibited at the great November exhibition of the 
N.C.S., and reports from various provincial sources 
show that it is popular with gardeners, because it 
comes up to expectations on the show-boards by 
it was arranged so as not to clash with the show of 
the National Chrysanthemum Society. 
Amongst the classes set apart for trained speci¬ 
mens, the chief attention was centred upon that for 
nine trained Chrysanthemums, exclusive of Japanese. 
The specimens were certainly effective so that the 
hand of growers has lost none of its cunning. Mr. 
C. Brasier, gardener to Lady Martineau, Edgbaston, 
secured the premier position with a well-grown and 
profusely flowered lot. He was followed by Mr. J. 
WaldroD, gardener to G. Cadbury, Esq. The latter 
came to the front for three pompons, showing well- 
flowered specimens; and in the class for singles he 
was equally successful. In the latter class he was 
followed by Mr. A. Cryer, gardener to J. A. Kenrick, 
and Ferns, and was set up by Mr. J. A. Tidmus, 
Spark Hill, Birmingham. Messrs. Pope & Sons, 
King’s Norton, Worcestershire, tabled the best lot 
of floral devices, baskets, bouquets, &z. 
Cut blooms are always a good feature of the Bir¬ 
mingham shows, and on this occasion formed no ex¬ 
ception. For twenty-four Japs., distinct, the com¬ 
petition was keen. The leading honours were 
carried off by Mr. J. H. Goodacre, gardener to the 
Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, Derby. Some 
of his finest blooms were Mrs. Mease, Mdme. 
Carnot, Mrs. H. Weeks, M. Chenon de Leche, & c. 
There were not many points between him and Mr. 
C. Crooks, gardener to the Dowager Lady Hindlip, 
Droitwich, who was second. Strange to say the posi- 
