474.  g  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER,  December  22,  1898. 
MRS.  C.  BOWN. 
This  new  Australian  variety  will  undoubtedly  take  a  leading 
place  in  all  collections  where  plants  are  grown  for  decorative  purposes. 
It  will  form  an  ideal  variety  for  market  growers,  possessing  all  the 
qualities  so  requisite  for  their  purpose.  In  colour  it  is  a  waxy  white, 
growing  naturally  as  a  bush  plant  about  4  feet  high,  with  a  stiff  erect 
habit.  It  is  remarkably  free  flowering,  for  I  have  had  plants  this 
season  growing  in  7-inch  pots  carrying  about  three  dozen  excellent 
flowers.  When  allowed  to  produce  sprays  every  bud  develops, 
and  the  keeping  properties  leave  nothing  to  be  desired. — J.  B.  R. 
TOO-MUCH-ALIKE  VARIETIES. 
May  I  be  allowed  to  briefly  answer  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey’s  question 
on  page  454  ?  I  feel  duty  bound  to  adopt  the  N.C.S.  catalogue 
as  a  guide  to  classification  when  officiating  at  affiliated  societies,  but 
when  at  a  non-affiliated  exhibition  I  use  my  own  discretion.  Whether 
the  catalogue  is  in  accordance  with  my  views  or  not  is  out  of  the 
question  at  the  moment.  At  the  excellent  exhibition  in  the  Winter 
Gardens,  Bournemouth,  last  month,  my  colleague  and  myself  passed 
the  four  bracketted  varieties — viz.,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Major  Bonnaffon,  also 
Princess  of  Wales  and  Mrs.  Heales — on  the  grounds  stated  in  my 
notes  on  page  440,  they  being  shown,  in  our  opinion,  fairly  distinct. 
I  could  mention  other  instances,  but  this  one  is  sufficient  for  the 
purpose. 
I  am  aware  that  catalogues  soon  get  out  of  date  in  these  progressive 
times,  and  need  constant  revision.  As  to  the  correct  description  in 
any  catalogue,  scores  of  instances  could  be  quoted  as  to  descriptive 
character,  which  read  ridiculously  in  arter  experience.  If  the  true 
character  of  all  newly  introduced  varieties  could  be  at  first  determined 
there  would  be  no  need  of  the  Classification  Committee. 
It  would  serve  no  good  purpose  to  enter  into  a  discussion  as  to  the 
infallibility  of  any  book  or  body.  I  would  rather  adopt  the  tone  of 
Mr.  E.  Harland’s  note  on  the  same  page,  and  consider  the  question  on 
a  broader  basis,  as  to  whether  it  i3  avise  to  put  the  veto  on  the 
exhibitor  or  leave  it  to  the  discretion  of  the  judges.  Mr.  Harland’s 
remarks  are  perfectly  to  the  point,  and  it  would  be  as  well,  and  to  the 
interest  of  all,  if  a  clear  understanding  could  be  arrived  at  for  guidance 
in  the  future. — C.  Orchard,  Harbour  Gardens,  Benibridge ,  I.W. 
i  TIMELY  TOPICS. 
Now  that  all  the  bustle  and  excitement  which  have  been  in 
evidence  in  connection  at  the  many  Chrysanthemum  exhibitions 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  United  Kingdom  have  once 
more  subsided  into  the  “  daily  round  and  common  task,”  cultivators 
of  the  autumn  queen  will  bo  turning  their  thoughts  towards,  and 
laying  their  plans  for,  future  contests.  The  season  has  come  when  a 
commencement  must  once  more  be  made  by  the  insertion  of  cuttings. 
As  your  correspondent  “  E.  D.  S.”  gave  a  very  useful  and  instructive 
article  on  how  best  to  produce  good  cuttings,  as  well  as  how  to 
propagate  them,  in  your  issue  of  December  8tb,  I  will  not  trespass 
upon  your  space  by  saying  anything  regarding  this  phase  of  “  Mum” 
culture,  as  it  would  simply  be  a  reiteration. 
Putting  in  the  cuttings  is,  as  your  correspondent  says,  a  “most 
interesting  phase  of  their  management,”  still,  if  the  laws  of  grammar 
will  permit,  I  think  there  is  a  phase  more  interesting  st'll,  and  that  is 
what  is  termed  timing  the  plants.  Now,  most  of  us  succeed  fairly 
well  in  propagating  our  stock,  but  I  make  bold  to  say  it  is  only  a 
comparatively  few  who  can  be  said  to  have  mastered  the  timing  process. 
In  the  former  case  a  definite  rule  can  be  laid  down,  winch  if  adopted 
will  result  in  success;  but  not  so  in  the  latter.  In  this  each 
cultivator  must  in  a  very  great  measure  map  out  his  own  course. 
There  are  so  many  side  issues  that  have  to  be  taken  into  consideration, 
that  we  cannot  lay  down  any  hard  and  fast  lines. 
In  some  of  the  catalogues  issued  by  trade  growers  in  the  south, 
laudable  endeavours  have  been  made  to  give  dates  for  pinching  which 
are  best  calculated  to  bring  about  satisfactory  results  with  the 
different  varieties.  But  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  for 
growers  in  the  north  and  Scotland  to  follow  these  gratuitous  instructions 
would  be  wildest  foil}'.  So  different  is  our  climate  from  that  of  the 
south,  that  even  if  certain  deductions  are  made,  still  the  best  results 
would  not  be  attained.  True,  in  sorno  instances  these  dates  may 
prove  to  a  certain  extent  a  guide,  especially  with  such  sorts  as  are  new 
to  the  cultivator. 
There  are,  however,  other  matters  to  be  takenTinto  consideration, 
such  as  the  date  of  propagation,  with  the  strength  and  vigour  of  the 
plant.  In  Scotland,  as  a  rule,  we  propagate  earlier  than  southern 
growers  do,  and  this,  as  well  as  the  difference  of  climate,  has  to  be 
taken  into  count  in  the  matter  of  timing.  Then  again,  a  weak  and  a 
strong  vigorous  plant  of  the  same  variety  require  a  variation  in  treat¬ 
ment,  so  as  to  produce  the  most  satisfactory  results.  I  have  in  my 
mind  now,  as  I  am  writing,  two  gardens  within  half  a  mile  of  each 
other  where  during  the  past  season  the  plants  were  being  pinched,, 
with  a  view  to  timing  the  flowers  on  exactly  the  same  dates,  but 
the  results  were  not  identical.  One  man’s  treatment  in  the  cultivation- 
differed  materially  from  that  of  the  other,  consequently  the  final 
results  varied  considerably. 
No,  this  matter  of  timing  is  not  one  which  we  can  learn  from  our 
neighbour,  but  one  which  we  must  learn  by  personal  experience  if  wo 
ever  wish  to  become  adepts  in  the  art.  I  was  speaking  a  few  days 
ago  to  one  of  the  best  growers  we  have  in  the  north,  and  he  told  me- 
he  had  been  asked  by  a  grower  150  miles  further  north  regarding  the 
timing  of  that  fine  white  Madame  Carnot.  He  gave  him  his  treat¬ 
ment  in  detail,  which  was  rigorously  carried  out,  but  resulted  in 
complete  failure,  not  a  single  presentable  bloom  being  produced.  It  is  a 
wide  and  interesting  subject — more  interesting  even  than  “  E.  D.  S.’s” 
“  most  interesting;  ”  one  of  propagation — this  phase  of  timing,  and  one 
which  is  not  sufficiently  understood  by  the  great  majority  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  growers. 
At  this  season  of  the  year,  when  there  is  plenty  of  time  on  hand* 
perhaps  some  of  our  experienced  growers  would  give  us  a  few  hints,  as 
I  think  it  is  a  subject  the  discussion  of  which  would  prove  mutually 
beneficial. — Albyn. 
SPECIMEN  PLANTS. 
It  is  safe  to  say  that  there  is  an  obvious  decline  in  the  number  as 
well  as  the  quality  of  the  plants  exhibited  throughout  the  country. 
True  in  some  few  instances  I  have  noted  an  improvement,  but  that 
was  where  they  have  been  so  poorly  represented  in  the  past.  For 
instance,  in  Edinburgh  the  plants  staged  this  year  were  distinctly 
superior  to  any  previously  seen,  while  at  Brighton  I  understand 
specimen  plants  were  a  great  feature.  I  am  not  surprised  to  hear 
that,  because  for  years  this  Society  has  produced  the  finest  pyramid! 
and  standard-trained  specimen  Chrysanthemums. 
A  great  decline  was  observed  at  the  late  exhibition  of  the  N.C.S., 
where  Mr.  Donald’s  marvels  of  cultural  skill  were  much  missed.  At 
Southampton,  Portsmouth,  Winchester,  and  Liverpool  the  huge 
specimens  so  often  seen  a  few  years  since  are  now  no  more.  Longer 
than  I  can  remember,  the  shows  held  at  Liverpool  have  been  famous- 
for  this  section.  This  year  they  were  very  poor,  with  the  exception, 
of  one  entry  of  Pompons.  I  am  not  a  keen  advocate  for  these 
unwieldy  specimens  ;  they  have  little  to  recommend  them  but  a 
tribute  to  patience  and  untiring  skill  in  the  manipulation  of  the  shoots 
and  branches  in  getting  them  into  form  to  bear  the  200  blooms- 
frequcntly  seen  on  thoroughly  representative  specimens.  As  con¬ 
servatory  plants  they  may  be  useful  in  some  few  instances  where 
necessary  convenience  exists. 
Plants  suitable  for  grouping,  or  those  made  dwarf  by  cutting: 
down  encouraged  to  retain  their  foliage  perfectly  and  to  carry  from 
four  to  twelve  blooms  of  high-class  merit,  are  far  preferable.  Yearly  at 
Hull  such  plants  are  to  be  seen,  and  in  a  few  other  shows.  With  the- 
public  this  method  of  culture  is  fast  finding  favour,  as  they  see  in 
them  usefulness  without  unwieldiness. 
There  are,  however,  those  persons  to  be  found  who  still  enjoy  the- 
pastime  of  training  these  numerous  shoots,  and  perhaps  those  who 
purpose  cultivating  this  type  of  plant  for  the  first  time,  and  for  their 
assistance  I  append  a  list  of  varieties  in  the  two  sections — Japanese 
and  incurved — most  suitable  for  the  purpose.  As  the  plants  must  have 
a  long  season  of  growth  to  enable  them  to  reach  the  necessary 
dimensions,  an  early  start  is  a  necessity.  No  time  should  be  lost  in 
inserting  the  cuttings,  which  must  be  stout  and  cf  a  healthy  appear¬ 
ance,  likely  to  grow  freely,  and  not  produce  premature  flower  buds,. 
One  cutting  only  ought  to  bo  placed  in  a  small  pot,  so  tl  at  when  the 
time  arrives  for  a  shift  into  larger  sizes,  the  work  can  be  done  without 
the  slightest  check  being  given  to  the  polants,  as  is  the  case  when, 
several  cuttings  are  rooted  in  one  pot. 
Two  Dozen  Japanese.  —  Madame  Bortier  Bendatler,  orange 
shaded  with  yellow  and  red;  Chailes  Shrimpton,  bright  crimson* 
Eva  Knowles,  bright  carmine  red,  reverse  golden  ;  John  Shrimpton, 
crimson  scarlet;  Madame  M.  Ricoud,  bright  rosy  pink;  Niveus, 
white;  Phoebus,  yellow;  President  Borel,  rosy  magenta;  Sunflower, 
rich  golden  yellow ;  Yiviand  Morel,  silky  mauve ;  Col.  W.  B.  Smith, 
light  terra-cotta  ;  Mrs.  E.  S.  Trafford,  rosy  buff  ;  Pride  of  Madford, 
rich  rosy  amaranth;  Wm.  Tricker,  rich  light  pink;  Source  d’Or, 
orange,  gold  shaded;  Elaine,  pure  white;  La  Triomphante,  white 
suffused  purple  rose  ;  Yal  d’Andorre,  orange  red  ;  Gloire  du  Rocher, 
bright  amber;  Emily  Silsbury,  milky  white;  Madame  Carnot,  whiter 
Lady  Randolph,  claret  crimson;  Madame  Philippe  Rivoire,  creamy 
white  ;  and  W.  LI.  Lincoln,  bright  yellow. 
