March  17,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
24.3 
National  Chry?anthbmum  Society— Important  Notice. 
The  adjourned  annual  general  meeting  of  members  will  take  place  at 
Anderton’s  Hotel,  Fleet  Street,  E.C.,  on  Monday,  March  2l8t  next,  at 
six  o’clock  in  the  evening,  to  receive  the  Committee’s  revised  statement 
of  accounts,  together  with  an  estimate  of  receipts  and  expenses  for  the 
current  year;  to  elect  a  President,  Vice-Presidents,  officers,  and  Com 
mittee  for  the  year  ensuing ;  to  consider  certain  amendments  to  the 
rules,  and  to  transact  such  business  as  pertains  to  the  annual  general 
meeting.  The  attendance  of  members  is  particularly  requested, — 
Richard  Dean,  General  Secretary. 
The  Kingston  and  Surbiton  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
We  are  officially  informed  that  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  was  held 
on  Monday  evening,  and  the  position  of  the  Society  was  gone  into 
thoroughly.  The  whole  of  the  liabilities  have  been  discharged,  with  the 
exception  of  what  is  due  to  the  collector  and  Assistant  Secretary  (IMr. 
W.  D.  Elsam),  who  voluntarily  offered  to  let  that  stand  over.  It  was 
satisfactory  to  find  that  last  year’s  subscriptions  exceeded  in  amount  the 
aum  received  in  1896,  and  had  the  takings  at  the  door  come  up  to  the 
average,  with  a  small  reduction  pro  rata  from  the  prize  money  (which  is 
provided  for  in  the  rules  and  is  often  done  at  other  shows),  the  accounts 
would  have  stood  differently.  As  it  is,  the  Committee  is  determined  to 
make  an  effort  to  wipe  off  the  debt  due  to  the  collector,  and  is  encouraged 
therein  by  the  knowledge  that  the  Society  has  passed  through  critical 
periods  more  than  once  in  its  existence  of  twenty-one  years.  It  has  now 
been  definitely  fixed  to  hold  the  Show  on  November  1st  and  2nd,  and 
Major  Ficklin  has  again  kindly  allowed  the  use  of  the  Drill  Hall  for  the 
purpose. 
Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society, 
The  usual  monthly  meeting  was  held  on  Wednesday,  the  9th  inst., 
when  there'  was  a  good  attendance  of  members  present.  Dr.  Banham  was 
elected  Chairman.  The  routine  business  being  completed,  a  discussion  on 
Chrysanthemums  was  opened  by  Mr.  W.  Willgoose,  a  successful  amateur 
grower,  who  strongly  advocated  the  late  rooting  of  cuttings  in  order  to 
get  the  plants  dwarf,  and  instanced  cases  when  by  adopting  this  system 
he  had  produced  as  good  blooms  as  he  had  formerly  grown  by  a  longer 
period  of  cultivation,  April  and  May  he  considered  suitable  months  in 
which  to  start  with  cuttings  for  this  district.  A  number  of  both  pro¬ 
fessional  and  amateur  members  entered  warmly  into  the  discussion,  but 
the  result  of  the  remarks  showed  that  the  opinion  of  the  speakers  varied 
considerably  on  the  subject.  The  varieties  grown,  the  time  in  which  the 
plants  were  wanted,  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  blooms  required, 
being  all  important  factors  that  required  taking  into  consideration  before 
deciding  upon  which  system  should  be  adopted,  were  prominently  brought 
out  in  the  course  of  the  remarks,  which,  however,  proved  to  be  one  of  the 
best  and  most  popular  discussions  held  at  any  of  the  Society’s  meetings. 
The  exhibits  for  professional  members  were  pot  plants,  when  Mr.  C. 
Scott  obtained  first  prize  for  an  excellent  Dendrobium  nobile,  and  Mr. 
W.  Topham  the  second  prize  for  a  very  fine  Azalea  indica.  The  amateur 
members  competed  with  cut  blooms,  when  some  good  varieties  of  Orchids, 
Azaleas,  Callas,  and  Rhododendrons  were  staged.  Mr.  M.  H.  Willford 
secured  first  honours,  Mr.  P.  Cox  second  prize,  and  Dr.  Banham  the 
third  prize.  After  the  admission  of  new  members  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  Chairman,  Dr.  Banham,  and  to  Mr.  Willgoose  for  opening  the 
discussion  was  passed. 
Early  Flowering  Chrysanthemums. 
These  charming  and  useful  plants  are  now  obtaining  a  greater  share 
of  public  attention  than  they  did  ten  years  ago.  At  one  time  I  had  my 
doubts  if  they  would  ever  get  their  heads  above  water,  their  big  brothers 
securing  all  the  attention.  Now,  however,  even  those  growers  who  go  in 
for  the  large  blooms  give  considerable  attention  to  these  more  modest,  but 
often  more  useful  flowers.  For  single-handed  gardeners,  lady  gardeners, 
and  amateurs,  especially  those  who  dwell  in  town  suburbs,  the  early 
flowering  Chrysanthemum  is  a  most  useful  and  economical  plant.  The 
blooms  are  beautiful  when  cut  for  use  in  the  house,  lasting  such  a  long 
time,  while  if  the  varieties  are  well  chosen  they  make  a  splendid  display 
in  the  garden,  and  that  without  any  great  skill  or  trouble. 
I  have  in  my  charge  one  of  the  largest  and  most  complete  collections 
in  the  country,  and  last  season  was  cutting  flowers  of  many  varieties  in 
July,  and,  owing  to  the  very  mild  season,  right  into  November.  Of 
course,  many  people  may  say  that  Chrysanthemums  are  not  wanted  in 
.July  or  August,  when  there  are  plenty  of  Dahlias  and  other  flowers  to  be 
had  ;  but  the  enormous  quantity  of  border  Chrysanthemums  now  grown 
proves  that  many  people  are  not  particular  what  flower  they  have, 
provided  it  is  good  to  look  at  and  not  difficult  to  produce. 
The  culture  is  very  simple,  while,  like  everything  else,  they  pay  for 
good  attention.  My  system  with  young  plants  is  to  root  the  cuttings  in 
February,  and  then  either  put  them  into  2J-inch  pots  or  run  them  out 
with  a  spade  into  a  cold  frame  until  the  end  of  April,  when  they  are 
planted  out  2  feet  apart  on  a  border  of  good  rich  soil.  I  do  not  stop  the 
plants,  but  let  thorn  break  naturally.  They  can  be  pinched,  and  thus 
make  bushy  plants,  but  they  are  a  little  later  in  flowering.  When  high 
enough  we  stake  with  bamboos  or  other  stakes,  and  tie  securely,  paying 
attention  to  this  during  the  season,  especially  with  the  taller  varieties.  It 
is  best  to  let  them  flower  without  disbudding,  when  they  will  produce 
delightful  sprays  for  cutting,  the  blooms  being  just  the  right  size  for  table 
and  house  decoration. 
Where  it  is  possible  to  obtain  the  space,  a  reserve  bed  should  be  planted 
(the  bed  to  be  about  4  or  5  feet  wide)  with  the  most  suitable  varieties  for 
cut  flowers.  Up  each  side  of  these  beds  stout  stakes  can  be  driven  in,  and 
spare  lights  laid  across  in  the  autumn,  thus  protecting  the  flowers  from 
excessive  wet  and  early  frosts.  Plants  can  also  be  readily  lifted  and' 
placed  on  a  bed  in  a  cold  house,  or  potted  in  8  or  9-inch  pots.  This  is 
a  good  way  with  the  later  flowering  sorts,  such  as  Ryecroft  Gior}',  Souvenir 
de  M.  Menier,  Mons.  G.  Menier,  Roi  dcs  Precoces,  Mons.  A.  Dufour,  and 
Jeanne  Vuillermet. 
The  following  are  the  best  of  their  class  so  far  as  I  have  yet  proved 
them.  I  give  twenty-four  Japanese  and  twenty-four  Pompon  varieties, 
but  those  who  have  not  room  for  all  can  take  the  first  twelve  of  each,  and 
they  will  have  a  splendid  collection. 
Japanese. — Lady  Fitzwygram,  white,  2  feet,  September  ;  Mytchet, 
white,  August,  2  feet  (this  is  the  best  introduction  since  Mons.  G.  Gruner- 
wald)  ;  Mrs.  J.  R.  Pitcher,  August,  4  feet,  a  lovely  pale  pink  ;  Madame 
Carmeaux,  foot,  August,  soft  pink,  changing  to  white,  a  splendid 
variety,  and  will  be  universally  grown  in  a  short  time  ;  Mons.  G.  Gruner- 
wald,  foot,  August,  pink  ;  Madame  Marie  Masse,  2  feet,  August  onwards, 
reddish  pink,  most  persistent  bloomer  ;  Edith  Syratt,  2  feet,  August,  light 
pink  ;  Orange  Child,  September,  2^  feet,  large  yellow  flowers  ;  De  La 
Guille,  September,  3  feet,  deep  orange,  passing  to  yellow  ;  Baronne  C.  de 
Braillesh,  2^  feet,  August,  white  flushed  with  pink  ;  Crimson  Queen, 
September,  2  feet  ;  Mrs.  Burrell,  August,  3  feet,  primrose  ;  Mrs.  Hawkins, 
August,  3  feet,  yellow  ;  Mons.  Dupuis,  August,  2  feet,  orange  yellow  ; 
Madame  Eulalie  Morel,  2^  feet,  September,  cerise,  with  gold  centre  ; 
Vicomtesse  cV Avene,  2  feet,  August,  deep  rose  ;  Mdlle,  Guindudeau, 
2  feet,  September,  deep  pink  ;  Madame  Armand  Groz,  September,  2^  feet, 
primrose  yellow,  salmon  centre  ;  General  Hawkes,  4  feet,  September, 
crimson  amaranth,  a  very  striking  variety  ;  The  Don,  lilac,  2  feet,  July, 
very  profuse ;  Madame  Foucher  de  Cariel,  2  feet,  September,  bright 
orange  ;  Coral  Queen,  3  feet,  September,  a  distinct  variety  of  amber 
colour  ;  Harvest  Home,  2  feet,  September,  red  with  gold  tips  ;  and  Albert 
Chausson,  2^  feet,  September,  orange  red,  tipped  yellow,  a  fine  variety, 
and  most  profuse  flowering. 
Pompons. — Although  these  are  not  quite  so  graceful  when  cut  as  the 
Japanese,  they  are  very  satisfactory  in  the  garden,  being  persistent  in 
fiowering,  resembling  huge  bouquets  of  colour,  and  flower  very  early. 
Tiercy’s  Seedling,  1;^  foot,  August,  orange  yellow  ;  Strathmeath,  foot, 
August,  rosy  pink  ;  Toreador,  2  feet,  -luly,  crimson,  golden  reverse  ; 
Longfellow,  2  feet,  ,Tuly,  ivory  white  ;  ,1.  B.  Duvoir,  August,  2  feet,  pale 
pink;  L’Ami  Conderchet,  foot,  July,  primrose;  Madame  Jolivart, 
2  feet,  August,  blush  white  ;  Nanum,  foot,  August,  white  ;  Flora, 
2  feet,  July,  the  best  yellow  ;  Blushing  Bride,  2^  feet,  August,  rosy  lilac  ; 
Bronze  Bride,  2^  feet,  August,  a  splendid  sport  from  the  above  ;  Mrs. 
Cullingford,  3  feet,  August,  the  best  white  ;  Golden  Fleece,  2  feet, 
August,  a  lovely  yellow  ;  Cauari,  July,  2  feet,  a  fine  yellow  ;  Alice 
Butcher,  2^  feet,  August,  red,  shaded  orange  ;  Mr.  Selby,  I  j  foot,  August, 
a  lovely  pale  pink  ;  Martinmas,  3  feet,  August,  light  pink  ;  Early  Blush, 
2  feet,  August  ;  Fred  Pele,  2  feet,  July,  crimson,  tipped  gold  ;  White 
St.  Grouts,  2  feet,  August,  very  hardy  and  free  ;  Silversmith,  2  feet, 
August,  lovely  white  ;  St.  Mary,  2^  feet,  August,  white  ;  Precocite,  3  feet, 
August,  yellow  ;  and  La  Vierge,  foot,  August,  pure  white. 
The  time  of  flowering  and  heights  given  are  average,  they  of  course 
vary  a  little  according  to  the  situation,  whether  grown  in  the  north  or 
south  of  the  country. — S.  J. 
EXHIBITING  HARDY  HERBACEOUS  FLOWERS. 
I  VENTURE  to  make  a  few  remarks,  and  hope  they  will  be  the  means 
of  bringing  out  the  opinions  of  other  growers  on  the  above  subject.  From 
what  I  have  seen  and  heard  at  exhibitions,  it  seems  to  ine  the  majority  of 
exhibitors  are  of  opinion  that  some  sort  of  restriction  with  regard  to  the 
size  of  the  bunches  ought  to  be  adopted. 
During  the  last  few  years  the  size  of  bunches  has  increased  corre¬ 
spondingly  to  the  larger  quantities  of  herbaceous  plants  now  grown. 
Generally  the  prizes  go  to  the  “big  battalions,”  although  many  of  the 
stauds  contain  much  of  what  may  be  termed  inferior  quality.  Were  the 
bunches  limited  to  a  certain  size,  I  feel  sure  that  the  quality  would  be 
improved,  as  scarce  and  newer  varieties  would  be  oftener  exhibited.  It 
would  also  increase  competition,  as  many  smaller  growers  would  then  be 
able  to  compete.  Most  ladies  and  gentlemen  are  pleased  for  their 
gardeners  to  exhibit  and  win  prizes,  but  one  can  easily  understand  how 
they  would  object  to  such  large  quantities  of  flowers  being  cut  for  such  a 
purpose.  .  . 
Where  classes  are  provided  for  nurserymen  by  themselves  it  is  not 
so  material  about  the  size  of  the  bunches,  as  many  of  them  grow  hardy 
herbaceous  plants  to  a  large  extent,  and  can  cut  almost  any  amount ; 
besides,  there  can  be  no  better  advertisement  than  making  a  great  display. 
I  would  recommend  that  where  spikes  are  exhibited  no  more  than  eight  or 
nine  should  be  allowed  in  one  tube,  and  in  the  case  of  single  flowers  on 
one  stem  not  more  than  twelve  or  fifteen. — N.  N.  •  •  j.  j 
[In  the  R.H.S.  , lodging  Code  the  maximum  size  of  tube  is  indicated 
for  holding  the  flowers,  with  the  proviso  tha(  all  the  stems  must  reach 
the  water.] 
