THE 
FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
February, 1843. 
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING OF MINERVA AND DUC DE CONIGLIANEAU. 
This month our illustrations are taken from the popular genus 
Chrysanthemum, and we intend offering a few remarks on their 
improvement, as an inducement to Florists to take them under 
their especial care in a more extensive manner than is at present 
the case, with a view to the introduction of better forms, possess¬ 
ing a greater share of symmetrical regularity, and more variety 
and brilliancy of colouring than is now to be observed among 
them. Even in their present comparatively rough state they are 
highly popular, in fact, almost indispensable, from their peculiai 
merit of blooming at a season when any flower is acceptable : 
we say comparatively, and draw the comparison from what we 
certainly believe them capable of attaining. 
An advance has been made in their improvement, and that to 
a considerable degree, as may be readily seen by an observation 
of the older varieties now almost extinct; and it is to promote 
and further the continuance of that approach to perfection that 
we are now anxious. One, and that a great difficulty, occuis in 
this family, an obstacle almost unknown with any other class of 
florists’ flowers—seed cannot be obtained from them in our cli¬ 
mate; this unfortunately prevents discriminate selection or any¬ 
thing more than a passive acquiescence with what our continental 
neighbours may please to forward; but an incentive may be given 
by the ready purchase of every improved variety at the same 
time none but what are actual improvements should be bought 
3 
VOL. IV. NO. II. 
