JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  3,  1898. 
Mi 
supply  and  bellows  from  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  whose  address  may  be 
found  on  our  first  page  of  advertisements  nearly  every  week. 
As  to  the  effects  of  the  powder  on  the  soil,  Mr.  Fenn  describes 
them  as  good ;  and  we  have  certainly  seen  in  his  garden  portions  of 
Potato  rows  dressed  and  undressed,  the  tops  of  the  former  green  at 
lifting  time,  those  of  the  latter  dead.  Also  we  have  seen  the  crops 
lifted  ;  those  of  unpowdered  plants  light  and  diseased,  those  of 
powdered  full  and  clean.  Mr.  Fenn,  therefore,  described  the  powder 
as  manure.  A  e  did  not  altogether  agree,  though  admitted  the  action 
of  the  lime  might  be  beneficial  in  his  black  humus-stored  soil.  The 
increased  crops,  we  suspect,  resulted  mainly  in  consequence  of  the 
dressed  plants  remaining  green,  through  the  absence  of  the  parasite, 
tor  weeks  after  those  of  the  undressed,  and  thus  the  manufacture  aurt 
storage  of  starch  by  the  former  would  continue  much  longer,  and  the 
increased  weight  of  tubers  be  a  natural  result.  We  have  observed 
the  soil  in  the  trough  in  which  Mr.  Fenn  was  growing  his  Tomatoes 
quite  grey  with  the  powder  from  his  constant  puffings,  and  no  plants 
could  be  cleaner  or  in  better  health.  We  are  not  able  to  say  that  a 
similar  amount  of  powder  falling  on  the  soil  in  Chrysanthemum  po>s 
would  be  equally  innocuous  to  the  plants.  It  might  be  prudent  to 
proceed  experimentally  in  the  matter,  and  'ways  and  means  could  be 
devised  fur  averting  injury  that  might  possibly  ensue  by  overdressing 
the  soil.  As  to  the  assumed  difficult}'  of  powdering  the  under  sides 
of  the  leaves;  if  Mr.  Fenn  found  no  such  difficulty  in  the  case  of  his 
Potatoes,  as  he  did  not,  it  is  certain  he  would  not  find  any  in  dusting 
both  sides  ot  the  leaves  of  Chrysanthemums. 
We  believe  the  Chrysanthemum  rust  fungus  is  conquerable — i.e., 
preventable.  We  do  not  say  by  powder  exclusively,  or  positively.  This 
is  only  suggested,  for  the  reasons  stated;  but  of  this  we  are  confident 
— namely,  that  if  the  fungus  gets  anything  like  so  firmly  established 
as  it  is  in  the  great  majority  of  leaves  that  arrived  by  this  (Monday) 
morning's  post,  neither  sulphate  of  copper  and  lime  in  powder  or  liquid 
form,  sulphate  of  iron,  sulphide  of  potassium,  permanganate  of  potash, 
petroleum  emulsion,  arsenico-alcohol  decoction,  nor  anything  else,  can 
effect  a  cure  and  restore  the  leaves  to  health,  for  their  tissues  arc 
utterly'  destroyed.] 
In  March  last  I  had  two  plants  of  Lady  Hanham  from  a  well 
known  grower,  which  shortly  afterwards  developed  spots  of  rust.  I 
isolated  the  plants,  and  tried  firstly  a  solution  of  permanganate  oi 
potash,  but  that  did  not  seem  effective,  so  I  pulled  off  all  the  diseased 
leaves  from  one  plant  and  tried  the  effect  of  methylated  spirit  on  the 
other,  and  in  each  instance  I  managed  to  get  rid  of  the  pest,  in  the 
latter  case  without  losing  a  single  leaf.— H.  A.  A.,  Penartlu 
PRIZES  AT  CHRYSANTHEMUM  SHOWS. 
The  manner  in  which  committees  draw  up  their  list  of  prizes 
annually  to  insure  the  best  results  is  no  doubt  a  matter  which  requires 
much  consideration,  as  so  many  circumstances,  local  and  otherwise, 
have  to  be  taken  into  account.  The  object  of  an  executive  is  in  the 
first  place  to  offer  such  prizes  as  will  insure  keen  competition  and  a 
meritorious  exhibition,  to  iuduce  the  public  to  attend.  The  treasurer 
ot  every  society,  too,  needs  a  clear  balance  on  the  right  side  of  the 
ledger — a  point  of  importance  that  cannot  be  overlooked.  This  is  a 
strong  factor  in  the  drawing  up  of  the  prize  schedule.  When  we 
consider,  too,  how  little  shows  vary  one  from  another  yearly  in  detail, 
it  surprises  many  persons  how  some  societies  continue  on  such  stereo¬ 
typed  lines  as  some  adopt. 
For  years  I  have  advocated,  in  the  interests  of  all  concerned,  the 
offering  of  challenge  cups  or  vases  as  leading  prizes  in  certain  classes 
and  sections  of  shows.  I  am  aware  that  many  exhibitors  regard  such 
prizes  with  disfavour,  because  of  the  great  anxiety  a  winner  of  the 
first  heat,  as  it  may  not  inaptly  be  termed,  experiences  in  respect  to 
the  next  season’s  contest.  In  no  way  does  an  exhibitor  earn  a 
reputation  more  quickly  than  by  securing  one  or  more  challenge  cups 
in  strong  competition.  There  are  men  of  my  acquaintance  who  pooh, 
pooh  this  method  of  offering  prizes,  but  they  scarcely  belong  to  the 
highest  class  of  exhibitors.  It  is  evident  that  committees  are  now 
keenly  alive  to  the  importance  of  encouraging  owners  who  allow 
their  property  to  be  sent  so  freely  to  the  shows,  because  as  a  rule 
challenge  and  sometimes  ordinary  cups,  bowls,  or  vases  go  to  ornament 
the  sideboards  of  the  employers’  dining  rooms,  and  rightly  so. 
As  a  proof  of  the  importance  of  this  form  of  prize  offering,  I  find 
on  looking  through  the  prize  schedules  of  forty  societies,  taking  them 
as  they  come,  not  selecting  the  important  shows  only,  no  less  than 
thirty-two  challenge  cups,  bowls,  and  vases  are  offered  for  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  alone.  In  addition  to  this  number  there  are  fifteen  silver  cups 
given  as  prizes.  I  mean  cups  to  be  won  outright  in  one  season.  In 
addition  to  these  gold,  silver,  and  gilt  medals  are  offered  in  abundance 
in  some  cases  instead  of  cash  prizes.  In  others,  in  addition  to  these, 
I  think  the  policy  of  considering  those  who  provide  the  means  for 
growing  and  showing  Chrysanthemums  is  wise. — E.  M. 
REGINALD  GODFREY. 
This  English-raised  seedling  belongs  to  the  Japanese  section,  and 
promises  to  become  a  standard  variety.  In  form  it  is  not  unlike  Miss 
L>orothea  Shea.  The  newcomer  is,  however,  superior  to  either,  being 
more  massive  in  build,  while  there  is  no  loss  of  refinement  in  floret. 
The  colour  on  thejjupper  surface  is  a  rich  but  soft  rosy  crimson,  the 
reverse  being  old  gold.  In  habit  of  growth  it  is  all  that  could  be 
desired,  producing  exhibition  blooms  at  31  feet  high. — E.  M. 
EARLY  FLOWERING  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  write  : — “  We  send  you  specimen 
blooms  of  early  Chrysanthemums  cut  from  the  open  nurs  ry  to-day 
(October  27th).  The  great  storm  of  last  week  damaged  them  con- 
sideraily,  but  sufficient  have  been  left  to  show  their  value  as  an  open 
bolder  plant,  especially  for  amateurs.” 
[The  above  note  accompanied  about- three  dozen  varieties  of  the 
Japanese,  reflexed  and  Pompon  sections,  of  which  the  latter  were 
especially  charming.  All  colours  were  represented,  but  if  anything 
the  yellows  were  the  best.  There  can  be  no  two  opinions  as  to  the  value 
of  several  of  these  varieties  for  border  adornment,  not  only  in  small 
gardens,  but  also  in  those  of  greater  pretensions.  The  blooms  sent 
embellish  the  editorial  sanctum,  and  are  much  appreciated.] 
NOVEMBER  BLOOMING  OUTDOOR  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
OuTroOR  blooming  Chrysanthemums  are  more  generally  associated 
with  September  and  October,  hence  it  is  refreshing  to  see  varieties 
which  will  enliven  the  garden  with  bloom  in  the  month  of  November. 
There  are  two  varieties  which  are  commonly  grown  in  cottage  gardens 
in  Kent  because  of  the  bright  and  prolific  display  of  flowers  they 
invariably  produce.  They  are  old  varieties  and  only  give  small  flowers, 
but  they  make  up  for  size  in  numbers.  Progue  is  the  name  of  one, 
and  Julie  Lagravere  the  other.  Progne  is  a  small  reflexed  variety, 
with  flowers  of  a  bright  amaranth  colour,  which  are  dis  inctly  violet- 
scented.  The  plants  grow  bushy  as  a  rule,  and  seem  to  succeed  well  year 
after  year  in  the  same  spot  with  very  little  attention.  Julie  Lagravere 
belongs  to  the  same  class,  the  flowers  being  about  the  same  size  and 
frtely  produced  in  bunches.  The  colour  is  a  dark  or  velvety  crimson, 
and  wheu  fresh  the  blooms  have  a  specially  attractive  appearance. 
These  two  varieties  are  worth  growing  because  of  their  uncommon 
colours,  which  show  up  well  in  the  garden  now  somewhat  bare  of 
flowers.  In  my  opinion  useful  varieties  like  these,  though  small,  are 
worth  growing,  especially  as  they  are  late,  hardy,  and  free. — E.  D.  S. 
SPECIALITIES  IN  PRIZE  SCHEDULES. 
(Continued  from  page  324.) 
The  week  commencing  on  the  7th  inst.  is  perhaps  the  busiest  of  the 
season.  Liverpool  opens  its  nineteenth  exhibition  on  Tuesday  in 
St.  George’s  Hall.  In  all  departments  the  competition  is  keen,  and 
the  exhibits  of  high  quality.  Perhaps  the  greatest-  interest  is  there 
centred  in  the  cut  blooms.  For  two  dozen  incurved  and  a  similar 
number  of  Japanese,  all  to  be  distinct,  ten  guineas  is  offered  as  first  prize. 
In  addition  the  silver  challenge  cup  of  the  Association,  valued  at  twenty' 
guineas,  is  given  to  the  premier  exhibitor.  Besides  these  there  are 
classes  for  specimens,  miscellaneous  plants,  and  fruit.  Bournemouth 
selects  the  same  date  for  its  meeting  in  the  Winter  Gardens  of  the 
Hotel  Mont  Dore.  Seven  classes  for  cut  blooms  are  open  to  all 
England,  as  well  as  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  and  foliage  plants. 
Many  classes  are  devoted  to  local  exhibitors  ;  amateurs,  single-handed 
gardeners,  and  cottagers  are  well  provided  for. 
The  sixteenth  annual  meeting  also  opens  at  Hanley',  in  the  Town 
Hall.  Classes,  with  liberal  prizes,  are  provided  for  Japanese  and 
incurved  in  separate  stands,  so  what  with  those  open  to  all  England 
and  the  numerous  local  classes  a  thoroughly  representative  meeting 
should  be  secured.  Thursday,  10th,  is  the  day  chosen  by  the 
Windsor,  Eton,  and  District  Society  for  its  annual  Show  in  the 
Albert  Institute.  At  no  meeting  that  I  am  acquainted  with  can 
better  Chrysanthemum  groups  be  seen  than  has  been  customary  here 
of  late  years.  Cut  blooms,  too,  are  of  really  first-rate  quality,  if  not 
staged  in  extra  large  numbers.  The  11th  and  12th  are  busy  dates, 
several  important  societies  in  the  north  having  chosen  these  dates. 
At  Sheffield,  in  the  Corn  Exchange,  one  of  the  best  of  autumn  shows 
is  usually  to  be  found  on  the  date  named.  In  the  cut  bloom  section 
the  conditions  governing  the  classes  are  easy.  For  instance,  not  more 
than  eighteen  varieties  are  required  in  the  classes  for  two  dozen 
Japanese,  and  a  similar  number  of  incurved.  District  classes  are  a 
feature.  Bradford,  too,  during  the  twelve  years  Chrysanthemum  shows 
have  been  held  there,  has  made  great  strides  in  the  presentation  of  the 
autumn  queen  to  its  patrons.  This  fact  is  mainly  due  to  the  offering 
of  substantial  prizes  and  the  easy  conditions  of  class  requirements. 
For  instance,  £20  10s.  is  offered,  in  three  prizes,  for  twenty-four 
Japanese  blooms,  in  not  less  than  eighteen  varieties.  At  Altrincham, 
which  embraces  the  district  of  Bowdon  and  Sale,  the  third  annual 
Show  is  to  be  held  on  Friday,  11th,  in  the  Drill  Hall.  The  schedule 
