TIIE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
were then introduced by Mr. Fortune. Some were of 
the dragon section, others had long loose petals, 
while one was beautifully fringed resembling a white 
Pink. 
During the next five years great progress was realized, 
and improvement has continued ever since. 
Of the kinds originally introduced from China, very 
few now remain; better varieties have superseded them. 
The earlier flowers were rugged looking, and only half¬ 
double; the broad compact florets next came in, and 
then the tasselled, the quilled, and finally the incurved, 
the most beautiful form of all. 
The Chrysanthemum was cultivated in China and 
Japan for many centuries before its introduction into 
Europe, and is indigenous in the more northern and 
central parts of China. 
In that country it grows everywhere, and may be seen 
blooming alike in the garden of the lowly cottager and 
in the grounds of the red-buttoned mandarin. Some of 
the native names are very pretty: Golden Lotus, White 
Waves, Cochineal, Silver Needle, Pink Embroidered, 
Gold Thread, Purple Butterfly, White Velvet, Golden 
Fringe. 
The plants seem to meet the gardener half way and to 
grow just as he pleases. Sometimes he trains them into 
fanciful shapes, or forms them into bushes cut into 
seven-storied pagodas ; but whatever shape they take, 
the fresh healthy leaves and strong bright blossoms 
show how well they are thriving. They flower in the 
late autumn, as with us, and specimen plants in full 
bloom are in great request for the decoration of corri¬ 
dors and temples. About Ningpo and Shanghae they 
are even better managed than at Canton. 
The system of culture is pretty much the same as 
ours. Cuttings are struck every year from the young 
shoots. 
When rooted, these are potted off into larger pots in 
which they are to bloom. 
The soil used is very rich, and to increase the size of 
the blossoms all the buds but three or four are nipped off. 
The number of varieties to be found in China is very 
great, and the flowers are of all sizes and colors. We 
have it on Mr. Fortune’s authority that many kinds 
raised from the seed in Europe grow wild in .Northern 
China. 
In Japan many of the daimios have Chrysanthemums 
on purpose to please their gardeners, who would prob¬ 
ably leave them if not allowed to cultivate their favor¬ 
ite flower. 
Yeddo is celebrated for the beauty of the Chrysan¬ 
themums, many of which are really superb. They are 
sometimes grown as standards, and resemble short trees 
in appearance; they are grafted on the stout stems of a 
species of Artemisia or Wormwood. 
In his “Visits to the Capitals of Japan and China," 
published in 1863, Mr. Fortune tells us of what his dis¬ 
covery of some new Chrysanthemums, quite distinct 
from any known in Europe, and most peculiar in form 
and color, 
One had petals like long thick red hairs, tipped with 
yellow; another was like the fringe of a shawl; another 
had broad white petals, stripped with red like a Carna¬ 
tion or Camellia. 
The enterprising plant collector adds : “ If lean suc¬ 
ceed in introducing these varieties into Europe they 
may create as great a change among Chrysanthemums 
as my Chusan Daisy did when she became the parent of 
our present race of pompons. ” 
It is interesting to read these remarks now, and to 
fancy the delight of our gardeners when they beheld 
these celebrated Japanese beauties for the first time. 
There are as many Chrysanthemum shows in Japan 
as thei% are in England, and the imperial badge of the 
mikado is an open Chrysanthemum. 
A flower that blooms at the dullest season of the year, 
when everything around is bare, possesses a special 
value in the eyes of most of us. But tastes differ ; and 
I once heard a gentleman say, “I hate Chrysanthemums, 
because when you have just made up your mind that 
winter is coming on and that the flowers are all over, 
these horrid things come out! ” 
In extenuation of such a heresy it must be mentioned 
that the speaker was only thinking of the “ common 
or garden ” Chrysanthemum, and had never had 
his attention drawn to the surpassing beauty of such 
flowers as Jardin des Plantes and Empress of India. 
Now, instead of dull yellow, dirty lilac, dingy pink 
and muddy brown, we have the purest primrose, bril¬ 
liant orange, the softest lavender and mauve, glowing 
rose color and carmine! and the richest cinnamon, burnt 
sienna, chestnut and mahogony. 
The contrast reminds one of an apt remark from a 
book written by a true gardener fifty years ago, to the 
effect that just as a poor, half-starved, ragged and dis¬ 
consolate man differs from the same man when well fed 
and well clothed, in health, cheerful, and at his ease, so 
much does the healthy well-cultivated flower differ from 
the same flower when neglected and placed in barren 
and improper soil. 
The Chrysanthemum is only beautiful at its best, and 
horticulture, like all other culture, is a study of per¬ 
fection. G. Layard. 
THOUGHTS. 
Thoughts of the past are fragrant flowers that bend 
Over the graves of griefs long laid at rest; 
Thoughts of the future, silver mists that blend 
With daylight on the far-off mountain crest, 
Dawning at last to make our spirit blest. 
Thoughts of the present oftentimes are sweet, 
Ay, far too sweet for tongue or pen to tell; 
As when the wind-kissed jasmine’s breath doth greet 
The mellow twilight, while some distant bell 
With hallowed melody tells, “All is well.” 
— Selected. 
