January 4, 1908. 
TUB GARDENING WORLD. 
5 
Chrysanthemums January. 
The Chrysanthemum shows of the past 
season do not appear to have been up to 
the average either as regards the number 
of exhibits or the size of the specimen 
blooms exhibited. It appears, too, that 
there has been a pretty general falling 
off in the attendance; partly due, no 
doubt, to the indifferent reports of the 
appearance of things in general, given by 
first-day visitors, and also maybe in some 
measure on account of a general slack¬ 
ness and want of confidence in business 
circles, a condition which it is to be hoped 
will soon pass. That the Chrysanthemum 
is as popular as ever as a show flower 
there is not the slightest doubt, except, 
perhaps, in the minds of some disap¬ 
pointed enthusiasts who, thinking fate has 
been unkind to them, are dropping out of 
the ranks of the triers. One noticeable 
point about the exhibits of specimen 
blooms in the season that has just closed 
was that while the flowers were smaller 
than usual, the colours were exceedingly 
good, and there were very few “ damped” 
petals to be seen. This points to the fact 
that the majority of growers early 
realised that in such a season very careful 
watering and the sparing use of liquid 
fertilisers would be essential conditions 
of culture in producing flowers that would 
make creditable exhibits. From what 
one hears at Chrysanthemum shows, there 
seems to be a pretty general idea amongst 
beginners that the growers of the largest 
flowers are in possession of some great 
scientific secret with regard to the manur¬ 
ing of the plants. And it is this idea 
that leads to the failure of many in their 
attempts to produce show blooms; for, 
not being satisfied with rich soil and a 
moderate quantity of good manure as ad¬ 
vised by experts, they must needs ply the 
plants with liquids, which are in many 
cases made from the most absurd mix¬ 
tures imaginable. Amateurs and others 
would do well to beware of the catch¬ 
penny recipes for special fertilisers that 
are commonly offered, and, having learnt 
the essential conditions 01 successful cul¬ 
ture, such as abundance of pure air and 
sunlight, good water—used with discre¬ 
tion—good soil, the best and most sub¬ 
stantial manures, early propagation, firm 
potting, discreet bud-taking, and the 
avoidance as far as. possible of the mis¬ 
chievous cutting and pinching, endeavour 
to produce the best possible batch of 
plants as early as possible in the season, 
and so avoid the ” hurrying-up” process, 
which never does any good, and is so often 
productive of harm. 
Making Much of a Garden. 
Of the newer exhibition varieties, H. 
Manwaring, said to be a deep rose- 
coloured sport from Mrs. Barkley, should 
prove a useful acquisition providing it re¬ 
tains the distinctive colour. The same 
remark will apply to Mrs. J. W. Cole—a 
white sport from the same parent as the 
above—to be distributed this spring; but 
as previous so-called sports from Mrs. 
Barkley have proved but fleeting varie¬ 
ties, due to abnormal conditions of cul¬ 
ture, growers need not be over-sanguine. 
Magnificent is apparently the best 
crimson and gold variety on the boards 
at present. This requires an early start 
and second-crown buds. 
Mary Donnellan appears promising, 
being—among the yellows—unapproached 
for depth of colour. 
The older Mdme. P. Radaelli and it& 
rosy-yellow sport Mdme. G. Rivol have 
both done well of late, and both require 
a long season of growth and flowers on 
first-crown buds. 
The varieties Splendour and Pockett’s 
Surprise are novelties for the coming sea¬ 
son, and appear likely to supersede some 
of the older kinds. 
Growers will do well to get in the re¬ 
mainder of their cuttings as soon as good 
ones can be obtained; while those put in 
last month should, as soon as they appear 
to be forming roots, have more air, and 
also a watering if they appear to require 
it. It is a good plan to get these early- 
struck plants well hardened and estab¬ 
lished in the small pots before re-potting 
them into ', rger ones. 
R. Barnes. 
Making Much 
of a Garden. 
Nearly every other evening for the past 
eighteen months I have been busily en¬ 
gaged re-modelling my garden from a 
plain strip of ground 21 by 51 feet into 
something more attractive. Taking into 
consideration that this is a first attempt 
to lay out a garden, it has been rather 
more'difficult, although the work has, so 
far, been a complete success. \\ hen I 
took over my house from the Royal 
Arsenal Co-operative Society two years 
ago, there was merely a cinder path some 
two feet from the fence. I then drew up 
a plan and began work in earnest. I now 
send you a photo of the top portion of 
garden, which comprises ornamental 
water, summer house with full-sized 
bridge ; beneath are Bull-rushes growing, 
also some in one corner of the pond, 
whilst in another are a quantity of YV ater 
Lilies. As you will observe, a model 
yacht is also used to adorn the pond. At 
the lower end of the garden a miniature 
model mill is being erected to be used as 
a coal-bunker. This not only makes the 
garden look attractive, but gives it a 
country scene, and at the same time is un¬ 
common to the greater portion of coal 
bunks supplied by the Co-op. A lawn is 
in progress adjoining the gravel path 
round pond. 
H. Thos. Kemp. 
■ Moreton Hurst, ’ 
McLeod Road, 
Abbev Wood. 
