534 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  »,  1895, 
Select  New  Chrysakthemums. 
Once  more  I  present  the  first  instalment  of  selected  new  varieties 
for  the  benefit  of  those  csltivators  who  have  not  had  the  opportunity  of 
judging  for  themselves.  Now  that  raisers  in  various  parts  of  the  globe 
are  on  the  increase  the  number  of  new  varieties  multiply  rapidly,  and 
the  work  of  selection  is  rendered  the  more  difficult.  Very  often,  too, 
varieties  strongly  recommended  fail  to  do  justice  to  anyone  the 
following  season.  The  main  cause  of  this  is  over-propagation  of  the 
stock  to  meet  public  demands.  The  plants  are  thus  weakened  by 
unnatural  forcing  into  growth,  and  cannot  reasonably  be  expected  to 
produce  satisfactory  results.  I  quote  two  instances  to  prove  the 
reasoning  of  this  statement — viz..  Duchess  of  York  and  Mrs.  C.  E.  Shea. 
Of  the  former  good  blooms  were  expected  during  the  present  season,  but 
during  a  tour  of  all  the  leading  shows  in  England  and  Scotland  I  have 
only  twice  seen  this  variety  staged  in  satisfactory  condition.  The 
raiser,  Mr.  Carruthers,  has  had  really  grand  specimens  of  it.  From  the 
last  named  surprising  things  were  expected,  but  as  far  as  my  experience 
goes  it  has  not  once  come  up  to  expectations.  When  in  perfect  condition 
both  are  desirable  varieties,  as  they  possess  characteristics  not  obtainable 
in  any  other  variety. 
Following  the  lines  hitherto  adopted  of  giving  my  estimate  of  the 
blooms  from  actual  observation,  the  description  of  colours  may  not  in  all 
cases  correspond  with  published  descriptions  of  various  catalogues,  as  I 
am  a  staunch  advocate  of  a  much  simpler  method  than  that  adopted  by 
some  raisers. 
Incurved  Varieties. — Now  that  seedling  Chrysanthemums  are 
more  numerous  than  at  any  other  period  of  the  history  of  this  flower, 
we  naturally  expect  to  find  additions  to  the  incurved  section  in  pro¬ 
portion.  Personally  I  look  much  more  hopefully  on  improvement  in 
varieties  of  this  section  when  they  are  the  result  of  “  sports  ”  than  I  do 
from  seedlings.  From  the  latter  we  get  far  too  much  of  Japanese  blood 
imported  into  the  progeny.  I  am  aware  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  draw 
the  line  as  to  where  an  incurved  bloom  leaves  oflE  and  the  Japanese 
section  begins.  Perfection  in  an  incurved  bloom  can  only  be  found 
when  the  florets  incurve  to  one  centre.  Where  they  are  almost  erect 
and  exhibit  the  inside  colouring  of  the  floret  they  cannot  be  accepted  as 
true  examples. 
Although  varieties  are  somewhat  numerous  this  season  but  one  is  the 
direct  result  of  a  sport.  Past  experience  has  taught  critics  that  too 
early  condemnation  of  particular  varieties  is  a  mistake.  Very  often  a 
seedling  does  not  develop  its  true  character  until  it  has  undergone  a  two 
years’  trial  in  the  hands  of  an  efficient  cultivator.  If  raisers  were  all 
of  the  latter  calibre  then  we  might  expect  earlier  and  better  results  from 
certain  varieties.  With  these  somewhat  too  lengthy  remarks  I  will 
give  the  description  of  those  varieties  I  have  selected  as  desirable  for 
extended  culture. 
Charles  H.  Curtis,  although  sent  out  last  year,  was  not  seen  in 
nearly  such  perfect  condition  as  has  been  the  case  this.  Undoubtedly 
this  variety  occupies  the  premier  position  of  any  incurved  Chrysanthe¬ 
mum  seen  this  season.  It  is  of  seedling  origin,  and  now  that  the  stock  is 
extensive  and  its  wants  understood,  it  will  rank  as  one  of  the  foremost 
varieties  in  cultivation.  Fully  developed  blooms  measure  5  inches  by 
4  inches,  the  petals,  which  are  somewhat  narrow,  incurving  properly. 
The  colour — rich  golden  yellow — has  long  been  in  request  for  brightening 
stands.  Globe  d'  Or  was  raised  by  Bruant  in  1893,  and  was  only  sparingly 
seen  last  year.  Sufficient,  however,  were  shown  to  warrant  its  extended 
cultivation,  and  this  opinion  has  been  fully  borne  out  by  this  season’s 
experience.  It  is  one  of  the  best  back  row  blooms  we  have,  measuring 
as  much  as  inches  in  diameter.  The  perfectly  incurving  petals  are 
rich  yellow  with  a  bronze  sufEusion,  deepening  or  otherwise  with  the  late 
or  early  “  taking  ”  of  the  buds. 
Mrs.  R.  C.  Kingston  is  an  American  raised  seedling  possessing  much 
merit.  The  florets  incurve  thoroughly,  are  rather  broad  and  regularly 
arranged.  The  colour  is  pleasing — soft  lilac  pink,  with  faint  white  lines 
running  through  each  petal.  While  expanding  each  petal  is  gold- 
tipped  ;  this,  however,  passes  away  with  age.  George  Haigh  is  a  sport 
from  the  well-known  K.  Petfield,  a  qualification  requiring  no  further 
recommendation.  Whether  it  will  be  sent  out  for  next  season’s  growth 
I  cannot  say.  In  size  and  form  it  is  identical  with  its  parent.  In 
colour  it  is  rosy  carmine,  shaded  with  bronze.  Major  Bonaffon  was 
introduced  as  a  Japanese  incurved,  but  this  season’s  experience  has 
proved  its  right  to  be  classed  as  an  incurved  variety.  The  colour,  clear 
yellow,  is  pleasing  ;  the  petals  somewhat  narrower  than  in  C.  H.  Curtis 
when  both  are  developed  from  late  buds.  Harold  Wells  might  easily 
be  taken  as  a  sport  from  some  member  of  the  Queen  family.  The  petals 
are  more  blunt  at  the  point  than  in  that  type.  It  is  said  to  be  a  sport 
from  Japanese  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence.  The  colour,  cream  yellow,  is  quite 
distinct  from  any  Chrysanthemum  I  know.  At  present  it  has  not  been 
seen  in  really  good  condition,  but  when  well  cultivated  I  prophesy  for 
it  much  popularity. 
B,  B.  Crane  is  an  English  raised  seedling,  and  valuable  for  the  front 
row.  The  neatly  incurving  petals  are  bronze  bufiE,  shaded  red  according 
to  the  age  of  the  blooms.  John  Fulford  is  a  large  globular  shaped 
bloom  with  somewhat  blunt  petals,  but  they  incurve  thoroughly.  The 
colour  is  a  dull  crimson  red,  paler  towards  the  centre* 
W.  Tunnington  belongs  to  the  same  type  of  bloom  as  Baron  Hirsch. 
The  petals  are  too  erect  and  pointed  to  exhibit  perfection  as  an 
ideal  incurved  bloom.  The  petals  are  massive  in  build,  dull  red,  lightly 
striped  gold.  L' Amethiste,  a  French  raised  variety,  was  sent  out  as  a 
Japanese  incurved,  but  it  will  rank  as  a  purely  incurved  variety  when 
it  becomes  better  known.  The  colour,  dark  violet  suffused  with  silver. 
is  novel,  distinct,  and  pleasing.  The  petals  are  substantial ,  and  incurve 
perfectly.  Lord  Rosebery  was  sent  out  in  1893,  but  was  not  seen  in  its 
true  character  until  the  present  season.  Under  ordinary  treatment  it  is 
an  inferior  variety,  the  petals  failing  to  incurve.  When,  however,  it  is 
so  managed  as  to  produce  late  buds,  not  only  do  the  petals  incurve 
thoroughly,  but  the  colour  is  perfect  mauve  flushed  with  silver. 
M.  P.  Martignac  cannot  be  classed  as  absolutely  new,  but  it  deserves  to 
be  better  known.  Well  grown  blooms  measure  4J  inches  across ;  Jardin 
des  Plantes  colour.  Bonnie  Bundee  reminds  one  very  much  of  Barbara 
in  form  and  colour,  but  fortunately  it  is  much  easier  of  production  than 
that  old  variety,  and  brighter  in  colour  also. — E.  Molyneux. 
A  Booting  Freak. 
When  cutting  down  some  incurved  Chrysanthemums  recently  I 
found  in  breaking  up  a  stem  of  Jeanne  d’Arc  a  root  which  appeared  to 
have  first  started  from  the  natural  break  and  proceeded  downwards 
through  the  centre  of  the  stem  into  the  soil,  a  distance  of  about 
18  inches.  From  this  main  root,  which  was  about  the  thickness  of  stout 
twine,  were  emitted  many  small  rootlets  which  had  penetrated  into  the 
pith  of  the  old  stem.  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  if  other  growers 
have  in  their  experience  known  a  like  occurrence. — H.  T,  M. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey’s  Chrysanthemum  House. 
The  engraving  on  page  511  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  is  an 
exact  representation  of  the  house  arranged  with  Chrysanthemums  as  I 
saw  it  last  year.  Exmouth  and  its  neighbourhood  is,  I  should  say, 
especially  well  suited  to  the  growth  of  Chrysanthemums.  Mr.  Godfrey 
imports  the  bulk  of  new  varieties  from  whatever  source  they  may  be 
obtained,  with  the  object  of  making  a  selection  of  approved  forms  and 
varieties  for  the  public  benefit.  In  such  a  house  as  that  engraved  there 
should  be  no  difficuliy  in  developing  the  blooms  thoroughly  well  as  to 
size,  colour,  and  quality. — E.  M. 
Disqualification — Glasgow  Str  ingency. 
On  first  reading  the  note  from  Messrs.  Pearson  &  Sons  (page  510) 
one  is  naturally  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the  whole  pith  of  the  matter 
lies  in  a  protest  lodged  by  a  disappointed  exhibitor.  If  this  were  so, 
how  can  the  Judges  shirk  the  responsibility?  Buies  are  made,  and 
should  he  carried  out,  therefore  it  is  not  the  Judges  who  are  to  blame  in 
such  matters ;  it  is  the  exhibitor  himself.  Although  it  may  appear 
extremely  hard  to  Messrs.  Pearson  &  Sons,  the  Judges  had  no  alternative. 
What  about  the  “  spirit  ”  in  which  the  delinquent  stands  were  "spotted,” 
I  would  ask  ?  If  I  am  right  in  assuming  the  prompting  came  from  an 
exhibitor,  I  wonder  if  he  will  feel  any  the  happier  by  winning  a  prize 
by  such  a  method  ?  The  Judges  might  have  ignored  in  their  own  minds 
such  a  trifle,  but  if  it  were  pointed  out  to  them,  with  a  request  to  carry 
out  the  law  of  the  schedule,  then  they  had  no  right  to  refuse  to  act. 
— Sadoc. 
Judging  at  Chrysanthemum  Shows. 
The  subject  introduced  by  your  correspondent,  Mr.  F.  C.  Smale,  on 
page  460,  anent  the  judging  of  Chrysanthemums,  is  one  of  very  great 
importance,  and  one  which  I  trust  will  be  fairly  and  squarely  discussed, 
so  that  some  definite  and  reliable  understanding  may  be  arrived  at 
regarding  the  lines  that  are  to  be.  adopted  in  the  adjudication  of  prizes 
at  Chrysanthemum  shows.  At  present  there  is  always  a  certain  amount 
of  difference  of  opinion  regarding  the  position  of  stands  of  cut  blooms, 
more  especially  if  the  stands  are  close  in  point  of  quality,  and  another 
judge  would  in  all  probability  reverse  their  positions,  so  much  depending 
at  present  on  the  individual  taste  of  the  judge.  If  some  recognised 
principles  were  adopted  in  judging  it  would  be  infinitely  more  satis¬ 
factory  for  adjudicators,  competitors,  and  for  all  who  take  an  interest  in 
the  cultivation  and  exhibition  of  the  autumn  queen. 
Mr.  Smale  cites  Viviand  Morel  and  Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy  as  varieties 
where  a  good  deal  of  difference  of  opinion  may  arise.  So  far  as  my 
experience  goes,  I  have  never  seen  a  bloom  of  Mrs.  A.  Hardy  which  I  con¬ 
sidered  fit  to  compare  with  a  good  bloom  of  Viviand  Morel.  I  do  not 
think  judges  ought  to  take  into  consideration  the  ease  or  difficulty,  as 
the  case  may  be,  in  the  cultivation  of  the  varieties  staged  in  competition, 
but  simply  award  the  prizes  on  the  merits  of  the  blooms  ns  they  appear 
on  the  exhibition  board.  If  such  matters  are  to  be  taken  into  account 
in  awarding  prizes,  there  are  many  others  which  may  just  as  reasonably 
be  considered,  such  as  the  advantages  one  competitor  may  have  over 
another  in  situation,  in  accommodation,  in  numbers  of  plants  grown,  and 
in  many  other  ways  that  will  readily  suggest  themselves. 
I  maintain  that  a  gardener  whose  garden  is  situated  in  an  open  and 
thoroughly  exposed  situation,  enjoying  air  and  sunshine  ad  libitum,  has 
a  decided  advantage  over  his  less  fortunate  opponent  whose  garden  is 
surrounded  by  high  walls  and  partially  shaded  by  huge  trees.  I  know 
of  some  such  places  where  it  is  utterly  impossible  to  get  thoroughly 
ripened  wood,  and  consequently  the  flowers  lack  that  depth  and  finish, 
which  is  characteristic  of  first-class  blooms. 
Now,  as  Mr.  Smale  says,  a  competitor  can  choose  the  varieties  he 
wishes  to  compete  with,  but  how  many  can  choose  the  situation  most 
favourable  for  the  perfect  growth  and  development  of  the  plants  ?  Very 
few,I  should  think.  Consequently  I  contend  that  if  judges  are  to  allow 
a  point  or  two  for.  blooms  reputedly  difficult  to  produce,  they  are  just  as 
much  entitled,  and  more  so,  to  allow  a  few  points  in  favour  of  com¬ 
petitors  who  are  handicapped  by  unfavourable  situations  or  any  other 
drawbacks  they  may  have  to  contend  with,  and  over  which  they  have  no 
control. — Wm.  Little. 
