November  28,  1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
513 
unsuitable  situation,  more  than  repay  their  owner  by  the  wealth  of 
golden,  white,  bronze,  and  crimson  blossoms  they  display  ;  blooms  that 
look  as  though  the  departing  sun  had  dyed  them  with  his  varied  hues  as  he 
gave  them  his  “  good  night  ”  kiss.  It  occurs  to  one  man  that  perhaps 
if  Nature  unaided  can  do  so  much,  would  it  not  be  well  spent  time  to 
coax  her  into  further  effort,  for  Nature  is  always  responsive  to  her  lovers? 
Presently  a  humble  glass  structure  is  raised,  a  few  cuttings  begged  or 
bought,  a  Journal  borrowed,  plants  tended  in  the  intervals  of  a  very 
busy  life,  not  much  disbudding  done,  no  attempt  at  symmetry  of  form, 
and  possibly  a  little  neglect  during  the  harvest  month,  but  even  with 
all  these  drawbacks  the  result  is  so  charming  that  the  amateur  is 
encouraged  to  greater  effort.  How  delightful  to  be  able  to  cut  a  bunch 
of  even  small  flowers  to  deck  the  table  of  the  “  missus,”  or  to  send  to  a 
sick  friend  during  the  gloomy  months  that  mark  the  close  of  the  year. 
It  is  dreary  working  alone,  and  it  is,  moreover,  difficult  to  measure  one’s 
own  success.  It  is  said  that  painters  are  rarely  really  satisfied  with 
even  what  the  world  calls  their  best  efforts,  certainly  few  amateur 
florists  ever  are.  A  wide  estuary  of  the  sea,  a  bad  railway  service,  and 
uncertain  November  weather,  which  leaves  it  quite  an  open  chance  as 
to  whether  the  fog  will  allow  of  the  steamer  running  or  not,  all  tend  to 
make  a  journey  to  Hull  a  thing  not  to  be  entered  upon  hastily  or 
unadvisedly.  But  there  are  times  when  an  outing  becomes  a  necessity, 
and  a  good  show  is  both  an  object  lesson  and  teacher  in  one. 
Flowers  everywhere,  bewildering  in  masses,  fascinating  in  groups, 
glorious  in  single  blooms,  it  fairly  takes  one’s  breath  away.  Out  come 
pencil  and  paper.  “  Mark  those  you  like.”  Why,  man,  the  task  is  an 
impossibility  !  Gather  up  your  sorts,  go  carefully  through  some  of  the 
collections.  Note  the  size,  symmetry,  and  colouring.  How  careful  the 
judges  have  been  1  Here  is  a  box  which,  on  a  casual  glance,  seems 
superior  to  the  one  marked  first  prize.  Take  each  bloom  individually. 
Ah  I  you  exclaim,  these  judges  do  not  err!  here  and  here  again  is 
slight  inequality,  slight  inferiority,  which  at  first  escaped  the  unpractised 
eye.  What  a  revelation  the  diversity  in  size  must  be  to  the  untaught 
new  beginner.  Incurved,  Japanese,  Anemone-flowered,  Pompon  and 
singles,  yet  all  members  of  one  great  family,  and  all  beautiful  in  them¬ 
selves.  Nowhere  does  one  stand  more  in  need  of  a  guide  than  at  an 
exhibition  of  this  sort,  and  alas  I  our  judge-friend  has  taken  himself  off 
back  to  Fleet  Street,  and  we  miss  his  sharp  trenchant  remarks.  The 
plants  in  pots  were  marvels  of  dexterity.  Is  it  fancy  or  fact  that  there 
seem  to  be  few  varieties  that  lend  themselves  to  this  form  of  culture  1 
There  appeared  to  be  only  about  three  kinds,  or  is  it  ignorance  on  the 
part  of  the  visitor,  an  ignorance  that  confuses  varieties  nearly  alike. 
Among  the  staged  blooms  it  is  almost  invidious  to  pick  out  ”  bright 
particular  stars,”  yet  there  were,  and  always  will  be,  a  few  that  “catch” 
or  in  this  case  you  may  say  truthfully,  “  fill  ”  the  eye  and  fairly  stand  out 
by  themselves.  Jeanne  d’Arc,  with  her  charming  white,  lavender  tipped, 
emblem  of  all  that  is  pure  ;  the  glorious  yellow  of  H.  Wells  and  C.  H. 
Curtis  ;  Lord  Kosebery,  silvery  mauve  ;  the  golden  brown  of  Wm. 
Tunnington,  the  yellow  rose  of  Chenon  de  Leche,  the  rosy  golden  bronze 
of  Mons.  Ch.  Molin,  the  deep  dull  red  border  and  white  centre  (such  an 
unusual  contrast)  of  Deuil  de  Jules  Ferry  ;  the  old  gold  of  Mrs.  Wheeler, 
that  curiosity  Hairy  Wonder,  Lord  Brooke  with  his  bronze  yellow  tinge, 
and  the  delicate  green  of  Florence  Davis. 
Possibly  for  honse  and  table  decoration  the  small  single  blooms  are 
the  most  appreciated.  Lady  Churchill,  terra  cotta  and  quill  petalled  ; 
the  fine  white  of  Mdlle.  Martbe  Montel  with  quilled  centre  ;  Elise 
Dordan,  globular  and  rosy  ;  D.  Windsor  of  a  rich  chestnut  red ;  and 
little  Miss  Sarah  to  finish  the  list. 
Dare  we  say  the  glory  of  the  show  centred  in  the  hall  ?  but  the 
wonderful  groups  of  flowers.  Ferns,  and  foliage  plants  defy  description, 
and  are  beyond  criticism.  The  challenge  vase  goes  this  year  to  its  final 
home,  having  been  won  three  times  by  Mr.  Wheatley. 
The  table  decorations  drew  crowds  ;  short  folk  could  only  get  a  tiny 
glimpse,  not  sufficient  to  ensure  a  correct  description. 
For  those  who  loved  music  there  were  the  dulcet  strains  of  the  band 
of  the  old  “  Death  or  Glory  Boys,”  the  17th  Lancers.  Pretty  women 
with  smart  frocks  were  very  much  in  evidence,  though  it  was  a  pity 
to  see  them  carry  away  little  pots  and  baskets  of  delicate  Ferns  and 
exposing  them  to  a  keen  frosty  air  without  even  a  morsel  of  silver  paper 
as  a  protection. 
The  directors  and  managers  of  the  Hull  Chrysanthemum  show  may 
fairly  consider  that  this  year  they  have  scored  a  decided  success. 
Finsbury  Park. 
For  several  years  past  this  popular  resort  of  North  London  residents 
has  been  celebrated  for  its  splendid  autumn  displays  of  Chrysanthemums, 
and  a  recent  visit  proved  that  this  year  would  not  be  an  exception  in 
this  respect.  Between  3000  and  1000  plants  are  grown  in  all,  and  what 
with  the  masterly  attention  they  receive  and  the  comparatively  pure  air 
of  the  district  almost  all  of  them  are  producing  (and  have  produced) 
splendid  flowers.  The  plants  are  generally  dwarf,  sturdy,  thoroughly 
ripened  in  the  wood,  and  have  the  rich  green  foliage  of  leathery  texture 
that  prove  perfect  health  re.sultant  on  good  cultivation  and  congenial 
surroundings. 
The  name  of  Mr.  Melville,  the  Superintendent,  is  well  known  in  con¬ 
nection  with  more  than  one  London  nark,  and  it  is  to  him  that  South 
Londoners  are  indebted  for  the  beautiful  Dulwich  Park,  as  he  it  was  who 
laid  it  oat  several  years  ago,  and  thereby  proved  his  skill  in  planning 
ere  he  was  transferred  to  the  North,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the 
Chrysanthemum.  Daring  the  summer  months  this  park  is  another 
evidence  of  his  ability,  by  reason  of  the  summer  bedding,  while  in  the 
spring  the  bulb  and  other  beds  are  renowned  throughout  the 
metropolis.  Such  men  as  he  are  what  are  required  in  the  management 
of  the  London  parks,  for  by  his  foresight,  excellent  knowledge  of 
gardening  in  all  its  many  phases,  and  his  determination  to  give  general 
satisfaction,  something  of  interest  may  be  seen  at  every  season  of  the 
year. 
But  let  us  return  to  the  Chrysanthemums.  They  are  arranged  in  a 
low  span-roofed  house,  there  being  a  path  down  each  side,  with  the 
plants  banked  up  in  the  centre.  In  this  respect  only  could  any  material 
improvement  be  made,  for  with  a  larger  structure  less  formal  placing 
of  the  plants  would  be  practicable,  and  consequently  the  beauty  of  the 
whole  would  be  greatly  enhanced.  As  it  is  at  present,  the  visitor  can 
only  see  the  flowers,  the  space  at  disposal  not  being  sufficient  to  permit 
of  each  plant  being  plainly  perceptible.  Then,  again,  the  constant 
influx  of  thousands  of  delighted  visitors  renders  it  an  absolute  necessity 
that  they  should  pass  at  a  fairly  rapid  pace  along  the  house,  whereas 
many  would  doubtless  be  glad  of  more  leisure  to  permit  of  note-taking^ 
and  close  examination  of  the  many  newer  varieties. 
Of  course  where  so  many  plants  are  grown  it  is  certain  that  most  of 
the  best  of  the  older  sorts  must  find  a  place,  and  so  it  is  at  Finsbury. 
Passing  along  varieties  are  constantly  seen  that  have  been  on  the  market 
now  for  several  years,  but  which  still  find  large  numbers  of  admirers, 
though  the  enthusiastic  amateur  grower  ever  has  his  eye  open  for 
novelties.  Considering  how  well  many  of  the  former  are  known,  it  wa& 
not  thought  advisable  to  name  any  of  them,  especially  as  most  of  the 
readers  of  the  Journal  will  have  seen  them  at  various  shows  in  different 
parts  of  the  kingdom. 
Leaving,  then,  the  older  varieties  to  the  imagination  of  our  readers, 
we  will  make  mention  of  some  of  the  novelties  that  are  to  be  seen  in 
such  splendid  condition  at  Finsbury.  Foremost  may  be  placed  Mr.  H. 
Eunchman,  other  good  varieties  being  Descartes,  Edith  Eowbottom,. 
Hairy  Wonder,  International,  Mrs.  J.  Blackburn,  Philadelphia,  and 
A.  H.  Fewkes. 
Southwark  Paek. 
What  Finshury  Park  is  to  North  Londoners  Southwark  Park  is- 
to  the  more  densely  populated  districts  of  Deptford,  Bermondsey  and 
Southwark.  Here  may  be  seen  in  the  summer  time  numbers  of  visitors 
at  cricket,  others  admiring  the  flowers,  and  others  again  making  use  of 
the  Park  as  a  health-giving  promenade.  In  the  autumn  months  football 
claims  the  attention  of  the  athletic  section  of  the  community,  which 
does  not  comprise  all,  for  many  thousands  find  time  and  opportunity  to- 
visit  the  display  of  Chrysanthemums  during  the  time  it  is  on  view. 
Considering  the  density  of  the  population,  the  number  of  factories 
and  workshops  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Park,  each  casting  into 
the  atmosphere  its  fair  share  of  smoke  and  other  impurities,  the 
Chrysanthemums  at  Southwark  Park  are  amongst  the  very  best  in 
London.  One  might  expect  to  find  a  preponderance  of  yellow,  sickly- 
looking  leafage,  and  puny,  ill-coloured  flowers  in  such  a  district,  but 
this  is  by  no  means  the  case.  Health,  demonstrated  in  good  wood,  deep 
green  leaves,  and  richly  hued  blooms,  is  the  predominating  feature,  and 
for  it,  not  alone  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighbourhood,  hut  also  of  other 
parts  of  the  metropolis  and  all  large  towns,  have  to  thank  Mr. 
Crowle,  the  excellent  superintendent. 
Here,  perhaps,  more  than  in  any  other  of  the  London  parks,  is  a 
lesson  in  Chrysanthemum  culture,  for  at  a  glance  one  can  see  how 
amenable  to  thorough  cultivation  is  this  most  popular  of  autumn 
flowers.  That  they  can  be  grown,  and  grown  well  under  the  most 
unfavourable  conditions  is  amply  demonstrated,  but  naturally  success 
can  only  be  attained  to  by  unwearying  attention  and  a  thorough  grasp 
of  all  essential  details.  Clearly,  all  points  of  importance  are  recognised 
by  those  concerned  in  the  culture  of  Chrysanthemums  at  this  South 
London  oasis,  and  no  stinted  word  of  praise  could  convey  the  plaudits 
that  are  showered  on  the  plants  by  the  interested  visitors.  Expressions 
of  admiration  and  approbation  are  heard  on  every  side,  and  none  is 
undeserved. 
Upwards  of  3000  plants  have  this  season  been  cultivated,  and  the 
result  has  been  one  of  the  most  beautiful  displays  ever  provided  at  this 
Park,  and  according  to  some  good  authorities  it  has  equalled  any  show  in 
London  this  year.  It  must  not  be  thought  that  all  these  plants  are 
arranged  at  one  time,  for  such  is  not  the  case.  About  2500  are  required 
to  occupy  the  available  space,  the  remainder  being  reserved  to  supply 
the  vacancies  made  by  those  varieties  that  are  the  earliest  to  go  off  and 
so  maintain  the  display  for  a  period  extending  over  several  weeks.  If 
every  plant  were  utilised  in  the  first  instance  it  is  obvious  that  the  show 
could  not  be  kept  open  for  such  a  time,  and  thus  the  public  would  be 
deprived  of  one  of  its  greatest  pleasures. 
The  majority  of  the  plants  cultivated  belong  to  the  Japanese  section, 
though  a  capital  sprinkling  of  most  of  the  others  may  be  seen.  The 
labelling  of  the  plants,  an  important  detail,  is  carried  out  excellently, 
and  many  are  the  persons  who  may  every  day  be  observed  jotting  down 
the  names  of  those  that  appeal  to  their  tastes,  doubtless  with  the 
intention  of  essaying  their  cultivation  in  their  own  homes  the  following 
season.  By  such  means  the  public  is  educated,  and  the  advantages  that 
accrue  from  this  generous  policy  of  the  London  County  Council  in 
providing  such  displays, of  flowers  are  incalculable.  A  love  of  gardening 
always  tends  to  a  nobler  view  of  life,  and  since  the  advent  of  autumnal 
displays  of  Chrysanthemums  in  the  various  parks  this  love  will 
have  been  engendered  in  thousands  of  hearts  in  all  quarters  of  the 
Metropolis.  In  addition  to  tendering  thanks  to  the  Council,  justice 
would  scarcely  be  met  if  mention  were  not  made  of  Mr.  J.  J.  Sexby, 
