THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 14, 1905. ^ 
EARLY CHRYSANTH E/AU/AS 
... AT THE . . . 
CRYSTAL PALACE. 
, A Fine Display by the N.C.S. 
804 
on the north, Escallonia macrantha and lang- 
leyensis on the south, Euonyinous and Coton - 
easters on the east and west if much exposed 
to the sea winds. J. Comber. 
The Gardens, Nymans, Crawley, Sussex. 
Lawn Sand and Weeds. 
When it is found that the lawn sand has 
not killed the largest and strongest growing 
weeds, make a strong solution of household 
soda in boiling water, making it very, very- 
strong. Fill a small oilcan with this solu¬ 
tion, and then force the fine point well down 
into the heart of the weed. Pinch the bulb 
of can so as to squirt the soda water out into 
the roots, and in two or three days the worst 
weed will be a “goner.” Be careful with 
the soda, as it may skin your hands if spilt. 
It will kill any plant or small insect that it 
touches, but it is not so deadly a thing to 
use as vitriol or pure carbolic, both of which 
are sometimes recommended to be used in the 
same way. The soda is in almost every 
household. A lump of rough salt answers 
the same purpose if put on each crown, and 
is said to fertilise the grass, but I take this 
“ cum grano saiis,” as I think it would pro¬ 
bably spread and kill the surrounding grass 
before it did any good, although a very slight 
dusting of salt sprinkled over the lawn 
between heavy showers has a wonderful effect, 
and retains the moisture to give a very green 
appearance. Some lawns are only weedy 
through poverty, and after killing all the 
worst weeds with lawn sand, etc., a good 
sprinkling of soot over the surface before the 
autumn and winter rains is an effective and 
cheap manure where expense is an object. 
The weekly sweepings from the kitchener 
should be collected in an old tub or box, and 
then there need be no trouble with the sweep, 
as I see is sometimes the case, although I 
have never found him unwilling to leave as 
much as I can use when asked to. 
D. Y. E. 
Plot of Ground for Flower Garden. 
Perhaps these few words may be of use to 
“ Ignoramus.” The plot of ground he wishes 
to convert into a flower garden could be made 
pretty by the following subjects for spring. 
He should now begin to get the ground in 
order so as to be able to plant bulbs in 
November. Thoroughly trench and dig the 
soil; clear off all stones, weeds, etc. I do 
not think he would require much manure, as 
the plot has been used for fowls. Procure 
from a nurseryman 100 bulbs of Tulips or 
Narcissus, which would not cost a great deal, 
and carefully plant in November. He would 
be certain to have a bright display in the 
spring from these, if the bulbs are sound. 
After these have finished flowering they 
should be taken up and stored in a cool, dry 
place till next planting time. During the 
summer months a bright display could be 
made by such subjects as Geraniums and 
Ageratum, Verbenas, etc., which could be 
procured cheap from nurserymen. A good 
Geranium for “ Ignoramus ” would be Henry 
Jacoby or John Gibbons. Both of these are 
excellent for bedding purposes, and with 
Ageratum as edging, would last through the 
summer. Amateur. 
The Gardeners’ Rotal Benevolent In¬ 
stitution. —The committee acknowledge with 
grateful thanks the sum of £8 17s. 4d. from 
the Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., vicar, being 
amount of offertories at the harvest festival 
services in Shirley Church on the 1st inst. 
The early autumn show of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society was held at the 
Crystal Palace on the 4th inst., when a 
magnificent display was made. Large-flower¬ 
ing Chrysanthemums were not in great force, 
although there were some splendid stands 
in the competitive classes. Early-flowering 
Chrysanthemums chiefly used for garden 
decoration, for decorative work in the cut 
state, and for market purposes, were' exhibited 
in great quantities. Almost every trade 
grower of Chrysanthemums had a good dis¬ 
play of the early-flowering varieties in their 
exhibits. Besides Chrysanthemums, there 
were also splendid displays of Dahlias, in¬ 
cluding Cactus, Pompon, single, and other 
varieties, but the first three types were cer¬ 
tainly splendidly represented. 
Hardy herbaceous plants were also m great 
force, particularly Michaelmas Daisies, which 
adorned almost every exhibit in which early- 
flowering Chrysanthemums were represented. 
This is what one might expect, seeing that 
both types are now making the borders gay in 
almost every garden where hardy plants re¬ 
ceive the proper attention. It is now possible 
from these exhibits to make selections of 
several dozen varieties that would be an orna¬ 
ment to any garden, and certainly take away 
the reproach of former times that Michaelmas 
Daisies were a weedy lot. Even the smallest 
flowering types, if properly cared for, can 
prove highly ornamental even in select collec¬ 
tions. 
A weedy appearance is brought about by 
allowing them to grow practically wild, to 
run into each other, and to crowd one another 
until only a small proportion of bloom can 
be produced by each stem. The proper way 
to grow these Michaelmas Daisies is to give 
them a proper amount of room to begin with, 
and every spring and summer to reduce the 
number of sterns sufficiently to leave room for 
every one to make its proper growth and 
develop its natural quantity of flowers. 
Under such conditions many of them flower 
from the top almost to the base of the stems, 
as could be seen by the specimens shown at 
the Ciystal Pala.ce and also in garden collec¬ 
tions where they are properly attended to. 
All these things taken together produced an 
exhibition well worthy of inspection. Indeed, 
it was the opinion of most of those present 
that no finer October display had ever been 
got together by the National Chrysanthemum 
Society. 
In the competitive classes the stand of 
twenty-four blooms of Japanese varieties 
shown by Mr. George Halsey, gardener to 
Jeremiah Lyon, Esq. , Riddings Court, Cater- 
ham Valley, was certainly well worthy of 
inspection, and would not have disgraced a 
November exhibit. His finest blooms con¬ 
sisted of Mme. Gustave Henri, Miss Elsie 
Fulton, Mrs. T. W. Pockett, Mrs. George 
Mileham, Mrs. H. Emmerton, Bessie Godfrey, 
Duchess of Sutherland, Lord Alverstone, and 
others. There was only one really weak bloom 
in the exhibit. The second prize was secured 
by Mr. J. Kirkwood, gardener to E. Wor- 
mald, Esq., Grass Park House, Finchley, 
N.W., who had somewhat smaller blooms. 
Mr. George Halsey also took the lead for 
twelve Japanese blooms, showing a dozen 
grand specimens. In an open class for twelve 
bunches of early-flowering Chrysanthemums 
distinct, the lead was taken by Mr. John 
Smellie, Pansy Gardens, Busby, near Glas¬ 
gow. He had grand bunches of good varieties 
in season. 
In the class for twelve bunches of early- 
flowering Pompon Chrysanthemums the lead 
was taken by Mr. D. B. Crane, 4, Wood view 
Terrace, Archway Road, Highgate, London, 
N., who is a specialist in this class of flowers. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
A very extensive exhibit of Michaelmas 
Daisies, Roses, Cactus Dahlias, and early- 
flowering Chrysanthemums was made by 
Hobbies, Limited, Dereham, Norfolk. The 
Roses were charmingly fresh, but the quan¬ 
tity of Cactus Dahlias constituted the feature 
of this very large group. (Gold Medal.) 
Mr. Norman Davis, Framfield, Sussex, set 
up a beautiful circular group on the floor, 
consisting of early-flowering Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, Michaelmas Daisies, and a mass of 
Golden Rods on the top. (Gold Medal.) 
Messrs. T. S. Ware, Limited, Ware’s Nur¬ 
series, Eeltham, Middlesex, had an extensive 
and very effective group of early-flowering 
Chrysanthemums, Cactus, and Pompon Dah¬ 
lias and tuberous Begonias. Several of the 
Dahlias were set up at the back on tall 
bamboo stands, and intermixed with Michael¬ 
mas Daisies, which served to show off the 
Dahlias splendidly by contrast. (Gold Medal.) 
A Silver Gilt Medal went to Mr. H. J. 
Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, 
Lewisham, for large collections of Michael- 
mgs Daisies and early-flowering Chrysanthe¬ 
mums. All of these were carefully named, 
and the varieties of Asters were certainly fine. 
He also received a First-class Certificate for 
Chrysanthemum Moneymaker, a pure white 
early market variety, and a similar reward for 
Maxim, with crimson flowers and an old gold 
reverse. This also is suited for market. 
A Silver Gilt Medal also went to Messrs. 
J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, Sussex, for a 
splendid display of single and Cactus Dahlias. 
They had forty-eight varieties of singles ; 
Pompon and show Dahlias were also repre¬ 
sented. 
A large Silver Medal went to Messrs. W. 
Wells and Co., Merstham, Surrey, for an ex¬ 
tensive group of early-flowering Chrysanthe¬ 
mums in many varieties. They also received 
First-class Certificates for Chrysanthemums 
Goacher’s Pink and Harrie. 
A large Silver Medal was also awarded to 
Messrs. R. H. Bath, Limited, Wisbech, for 
early-flowering Chrysanthemums, in many 
cases disbudded with large flowers. They re¬ 
ceived a First-class Certificate for Chrysan¬ 
themum Perle Chatillonnaise. 
Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead, also received 
a Silver Gilt Medal for early-flowering Chry¬ 
santhemums. 
A Silver Medal went to Messrs. John Peed 
and Son, Roupell Park Nurseries. West Nor¬ 
wood, for a showy exhibit of tuberous 
Begonias. They also had a group of Begonia 
Gloire de Lorraine and Tumford Hall well 
