NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
INDEX FOR 1885. —We have prepared an Index 
with Title Page for the current volume of “ The 
Floral Cabinet ” and will mail a copy free upon 
receipt of a request from any Subscriber. 
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Roman Hyacinths. —These bulbs are grown in im¬ 
mense quantities by florists for the cut-flower market, and, 
like all other flowers, the first have the advantage of a 
quick sale at good prices. Consequently there exists 
among the florists a rivalry as to who shall win the race. 
John Henderson, Esq.,of Flushing, N. Y.,won the “cup” 
this year in a fair race over all competitors, coming in 
a few days ahead with flowers on the 7th of November, 
ten days in advance of last season. The flowers sold 
readily at.fii per dozen spikes. 
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The Chrysanthemum. —We have devoted considerable 
space this month to the chrysanthemum, but no more 
than its excellence deserves. We now wish to say a 
word about the chrysanthemum exhibitions. The New 
York Horticultural Society took the lead with one of the 
finest exhibitions ever seen in this country. Not only was 
the display large in every department, but it was decidedly 
rich in standards and dwarf specimens. Its great merit 
was in the fullness and richness of the cut-flower depart¬ 
ment. Here were specimens seven inches in diameter, 
absolutely perfect in form, and in such colors as the chrys¬ 
anthemum was never supposed to possess. As a matter 
of course, in the professional line, Mr. Thorpe, popularly 
known as “ Chrysanthemum Thorpe,” took the lead, while 
Mr. Childs made a fair second. In the amateur depart¬ 
ment there were specimens of marvelous beauty, show¬ 
ing the interest now felt in the development of this flower. 
Had the society a hall worthy the name, a hall where 
flowers could be seen by daylight, as they should be, the 
exhibition would have been highly appreciated. As it 
was, no one supposed it could be equalled in this country ; 
but when the Philadelphians opened the doors of Horti¬ 
cultural Hall, on Broad street, on the evening of Novem¬ 
ber 10, the New Yorkers were simply amazed, for there, 
in a hall perfectly adapted for the exhibition of flowers, 
was a display that fairly distanced the New York ex¬ 
hibition. 
Again comes a surprise, this time in Boston, where 
the chrysanthemum is also known and loved. In the 
large hall of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 
there was an exhibition (opening on the 12th) which for 
beautiful and well-grown plants far surpassed those 
shown in this city and Philadelphia. The plants were 
grown in an entirely different manner, being mostly what 
might be called half-standards—single stems, with a 
crown of bloom that for symmetry and fullness could not 
have been better. The number of plants, and possibly 
the number of varieties, may not have equalled the other 
exhibitions, but the beautiful forms of the plants by far 
surpassed them. 
This pleasant rivalry is very interesting and useful for 
educational purposes. It shows what well-directed effort 
in any given direction will accomplish. The chrysanthe¬ 
mum fever is now well marked, and those who are mak¬ 
ing a specialty of this flower are already arranging to 
grow plants for the next season’s exhibitions that will, if 
possible, far surpass anything seen this year. 
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The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the oldest 
existing horticultural association in the United States, 
makes the following announcement : 
“ At the monthly meeting, on Tuesday evening, Febru¬ 
ary 16, 1886, the medals of the society will be awarded 
as ladies’ premiums, to be competed for by ladies only: 
12 Hyacinths, grown in glasses, first premium, gold 
medal. 
12 Hyacinths, grown in glasses, second premium, silver 
gilt medal. 
12 Hyacinths, grown in glasses, third premium, silver 
medal. 
6 Hyacinths, grown in glasses, first premium, silver 
medal. 
6 Hyacinths, grown in glass, second premium, bronze 
medal. 
At the spring exhibition, to be held March 16 to 19, 
1886, the General Union of Holland for the Promotion of 
the Cultivation of Bulbs, under the patronage of the 
King of the Netherlands, offers the following special 
prizes to be competed for by nurserymen, seedsmen and 
florists only: 
Hyacinths, 50 named bulbs, in 50 pots, forced in pots— 
First prize.Gold medal. 
Second prize . . . Silver gilt medal. 
Third prize.Silver medal. 
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Cut-Flower Trade. —The prospect of a prosperous cut- 
flower trade the coming winter is very flattering. Not¬ 
withstanding the season is so warm that the market is 
flooded with chrysanthemums grown out of doors, the 
trade in roses and other choice flowers is very brisk, much 
better than at the same season last year. Good roses 
are now bringing satisfactory prices, and choice carna¬ 
tions are scarce. This is probably due to the fact that 
the carnation has a disease in most parts of the country 
that threatens its destruction. Many of the florists have 
entirely given up growing it. 
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Calendula Meteor. —This hardy annual is not grown 
to the extent its merits deserve, probably from the fact of 
its being a variety of the old pot marigold, which gives 
it a common name, and anything common cannot be 
tolerated in the garden of to-day. Yet it is one of our 
most beautiful hardy annuals, and is now (November 14) 
in full bloom, seemingly as cheerful and happy as though 
it were early spring instead of early winter. Our plants 
