6 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTCrriTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDEXER. 
July  2,  1898. 
The  CHTiySAXTHEMUil. 
Tn  the  first  number  of  the  recently  published  “  Eevue  Gcubrale 
Internationale  ” — a  large  sized  magazine  devoted  to  scientific,  literary, 
and  artistic  8ub]ects — appears  an,  article  on  the  Chrysanthemum  by 
M.  Henry  L.  de  Vilmorin.  The  title  of  M.  de  Vilmorin’s  contribution 
to  this  new  magazine,  which  is  got  up  in  a  style  well  worthy  of  its 
somewhat  comprehensive  programme,  ia,  “The  Chrysanthemum:  Its 
History,  Physiology,  and  Cultivation  in  France  and  Abroad,”  Com¬ 
mencing  with  a  sketch  of  the  early  history  of  this  popular  autumn 
flower  in  the  laud  of  its  origin— China,  and  passing  onward  to  its  intro¬ 
duction  into  Japan,  the  author  deals  with  sucU  subjects  as  the  botanical 
view  of  the  genus  Chrysanthemum,  the  advent  of  hairy  varieties  and 
colouration,  in  which  latter  question  he  does  not  fail  to  draw  attention 
to  the  oft  repeated  query  as  to  the  existence  of  a  blue  Chrysanthemum. 
Like  several  other  continental  writers  on  this  subject,  M.  de  Vilmorin' 
lays  the  eminent  writer,  Pierre  Loti,  under  contribution.  It  is  to  the 
pen  of  the  latter  that  we  owe  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  graphic 
word  pictures  of  the  Imperial  Chrysanthemum  Fete  in  the  gardens  of 
the  Emperor  of  Japan.  Unfortunately,  however,  Pierre  Loti  could  only 
describe  this  world-renowned  function  as  an  ordinary  sightseer,  and  not 
as  a  writer  specially  versed  in  the  niceties  of  this  protean  favourite. 
The  description  for  those  who  desire  a  fuller  acquaintance  with  it  may 
be  found  in  his  “  Japoneries  d’Automne.”  ^ 
Concerning  its  history  in  Europe,  M.  de  Vilmorin  begins  with  the 
reference  to  the  Chrysanthemum  by  Breynius,  and  by  a  curious  error  in 
orthography  tells  his  readers  in  two  places  that  the  person  who  intro¬ 
duced  the  plant  into  Europe  was  Blancart.  Although  this  name  has 
commonly  been  spelled  Blanchard  both  by  English  and  French  historians 
of  the  Chrysanthemum,  it  should  properly  be  Blancard.  Passing  in 
review  the  early  efforts  of  Captain  Bernet,  the  first  European  to  raise 
seedlings,  the  labours  of  Mr.  Isaac  Wheeler,  the  first  Englishman  to 
follow  in  Bernet’s  footsteps,  and  others,  like  Salter  and  the  Channel 
Island  growers,  M.  de  Vilmorin  gives  a  rapid  sketch  of  the  work 
accomplished  by  his  own  countrymen  in  later  years,  not  forgetting  to 
pay  a  tribute  to  the  raisers  of  other  nationalities,  the  Americans, 
perhaps  of  all,  being  especially  worthy  of  notice. 
M.  de  Vilmorin  approves  of  the  work  of  classification  already  accom¬ 
plished  by  the  N.C.S.  here,  but  rather  objects  to  the  somewhat  broad 
use  of  the  definition  Japanese  Chrysanthemum  which  they  adopt.  The 
division  into  sections,  mostly  in  accordance  with  his  view,  appears  to 
comprise  only  five  distinct  classes— viz..  Anemone-flowering,  Pompon, 
Chinese  or  incurved  hybrid,  and  Japanese,  but  he  acknowledges  in  the 
last-named  section  several  sub-divisions  may  be  made.  Cultivation 
cannot,  of  course,  be  treated  here,  and  indeed  the  length  of  the  article, 
extending  over  twenty-eight  pages  of  the  “  Eevue  Genbrale  Inter¬ 
nationale,”  precludes  any  further  notice  of  it,  beyond  mentioning  the 
fact  that  there  are  full  page  illustrations  in  black  and  white  of  typical 
varieties,  such  as  Lilian  B.  Bird,  Yellow  Dragon,  William  Falconer,  and 
Etoile  de  Lyon.  There  are  also  some  slightly  smaller  of  Elsie  Walker, 
Boule  d’Or.  Chrysanthemum  acroclinimflora.  Souvenir  de  Haarlem, 
Gloire  Eayonnante,  and  a  plate  of  the  Chrysanthemum  indicum.  There 
are  also  several  reproductions  of  curious  forms  of  Chrysanthemums 
grown  in  Japan,  which,  if  we  are  not  mistaken,  are  after  the  well- 
known  Japanese  artist  Ho  Kusai. 
M.  de  Vilmorin’s  contribution  to  the  literature  of  the  Chrysanthe¬ 
mum  is  an  intereiting,  readable  survey  of  the  flower  from  all  points  of 
view,  and  shows  that  the  recent  awakening  in  France,  in  what  is 
peculiarly  a  French  flower,  is  not  subsiding  or  evanescent.  We  shall 
look  forward  with  some  degree  of  curiosity  to  the  work  that  will  be 
accomplished  by  the  newly  formed  French  Chrysanthemum  societies 
during  the  coming  season.— C.  H.  P. 
Christchurch  Horticultural  Society’s  Chrysanthemum 
Show. 
The  “Christchurch  (N.Z)  Star”  of  April  2!lth  is  just  to  hand,  and 
contains  a  report  of  the  above  show.  The  following  is  a  condensed 
account  of  the  show,  which  was  opened  on  April  the  28th  ; — “  Owing  to 
the  fact  that  the  growers  who  have  formed  the  Chrysanthemum  Club 
did  not  exhibit  there  was  a  considerable  falling  off  numerically  in  the 
display,  but  the  specimens  that  were  displayed  comprised  some  magni¬ 
ficent  blooms,  and  the  show  was  decidedly  worth  a  visit.  Probably  a 
finer  stand  of  Chrysanthemums  has  never  been  seen  here  than  the 
twelve  cut  blooms  sent  in  by  Mrs.  E.  E.  M.  Evans,  who  gained  a 
National  Society’s  certificate.  The  flowers  were  of  exceptional  size,  well 
formed,  and  admirable  in  colour.  The  best  were  Niveus  (awarded  the 
prize  as  the  premier  Japanese  in  the  show)  and  Mrs.  Bruce  Findlay,  the 
premier  incurved  Japanese  in  the  show.  Mrs.  Evans  also  gainel  the 
special  prize  for  the  premier  incurved  Chrysanthemum  with  a  perfect 
specimen  of  Jeanne  d’Arc.  Mr.  D.  Craw’s  cut  blooms  were  also  admir¬ 
able.  His  first  prize  stand  of  eighteen  comprised  finely  grown  speci¬ 
mens  of  Zealandia,  Comte  de  Germiny,  and  Yellow  Sultan  j  and  his 
stand  of  twelve,  which  took  second  honours,  was  remarkable  for  corr- 
taining  a  splendid  bloom  of  the  hairy  incurved  Japanese  variety  Louis 
Boehmer,  and  an  equally  fine  specimen  of  Eda  Pfass,  another  incurved 
Japanese.  His  stand  of  Yellow  Sultan  was  aw'arded  first  prize  for  six 
Japanese  of  one  variety.  Mrs.  Evans’  stand  of  Duchess  of  Wellington, 
which  was  placed  second,  was,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  quite  equal. 
Mrs.  Charles  Clark’s  twelve  outdoor  grown  blooms  were  finely  deve¬ 
loped.  Some  capital  flowers  were  exhibited  in  the  amateur  class.  Mr. 
J.  Craw-’s  stand  of  twelve  .lapanese,  which  gained  a  National  Society’s 
certificate,  comprised  the  best  bloom  of  Edwin  Molyneux  in  the  show. 
His  Anemones  were  also  admirable.  Mr.  F.  H.  Booth,  an  exhibitor  who 
had  not  previously  won  a  prize,  bad  a  highly  creditable  stand  of  six 
Japanese.  Some  very  good  flowers  were  shown  for  ‘  exhibition  only,’ 
notably  Messrs.  Mitchell  &  Son’s  and  Messrs,  G untrip’s  and  Lake’s  out- 
door  grown  blooms,  and  Master  F.  Evans’  six  Japanese.  The  most 
noticeable  feature  of  the  pot  plants  wa?  Mr.  J.  Dutton’s  fine  collection 
of  two  dozen  seedling  Chrysanthemums.  Mr.  F.  C.  East  also  had  some 
very  creditable  exhibits  of  greenhouse  and  other  pot  plants.  The  table 
decorations  sent  by  Mesdames  A.  M.  Ollivier  and  A.  Marshall,  which 
secured  first  awards  in  the  open  and  amateur  classes  respectively,  were 
tasteful  and  effective.” 
Fruit  and  vegetable  ciasse.s  were  also  provided,  and  appear  to  have 
excited  considerable  competition. — P. 
MIGNONETTE. 
Deservedly  popular  is  this  sweet  and  simple  flower,  not  only  in 
this  but  in  other  civilisei  countries.  For  this  universally  admired  plant 
we  are  indebted  to  Egypt,  but  it  has  long  been  perfectly  at  home  with 
us,  growing  almost  everywhere  and  ripening  its  seeds  perfectly.  ^  I  say 
it  grows  almost  everywhere,  for  there  are  some  singular  exceptions — 
some  gardens  wherein  this  plant  refuses  to  thrive,  but  they  are  fortu¬ 
nately  not  numerous.  I  was  once  engaged  in  a  garden  in  Lancashire 
where  it  was  next  to  impossible  to  make  two  such  common  plants  as 
Mignonette  and  the  common  Laurel  grow  ;  and  I  have  known  in  a  few 
other  places  how  difficult  it  has  been  to  grow  Mignonette  satisfactorily 
in  the  open  garden,  and  not  infrequently  have  I  read  records  of  failures 
and  applications  for  aid  under  such  circumstances  in  the  columns  of  the 
Journal.  It  is  not  easy  to  account  for  such  a  free-growing  plant  as  the 
Mignonette  refusing  to  grow  even  when  the  site,  soil,  and  surrounding 
circumstances  are  in  seme  degree  familiar,  much  more  is  it  impossible  to 
divine  the  cause  of  failure  in  gardens  of  which  one  knows  nothing.  If 
I  cannot  explain  the  cause  of  failures  which  some  have  to  endure,  or 
point  out  any  satisfactory  remedy,  I  can  at  least  offer  as  some  consolation 
that  those  who  fail  fail  in  good  company,  and  that  their  failures  do  not  in 
all  probability  arise  from  either  ignorance  or  neglect  of  those  having  the 
charge  of  the  gardens  wherein  this  plant  refuses  to  flourish. 
Mignonette  is  welcome  at  any  time,  but  especially  in  the  dull  months 
of  the  year  its  delicately  perfumed  spikes  are  coveted  and  appreciated. 
As  in  garden  so  also  is  it  in  pot  culturer— with  some  Mignonette  grows 
as  freely  as  do  Mustard  and  Cress,  while  others  have  no  small  trouble 
in  producing  robust  and  healthy  plants.  But  when  grown  in  pots 
success  depends  on  correct  management,  and  failures  are  mostly  trace¬ 
able  to  neglect,  or  a  want  of  skill  or  means  to  apply  it. 
Mignonette  while  susceptible  of  injury  by  excessive  moisture  in  its 
early  stages  is  also  liable  to  receive  injury  by  extreme  drought.  In  the 
summer  months  especially  more  failures  arise  from  the  latter  than  the 
former  mishap.  It  is  not  easy  to  grow  Mignonette  in  pots  unless  they 
are  plunged  in  ashes  or  some  other  suitable  medium.  The  spongioles 
are  extremely  delicate  and  fine,  and  shrivel  by  extreme  drought  or  decay 
from  excessive  wet.  In  both  cases  the  results  are  the  same,  and  the  end 
failure.  If  Mignonette  is,  by  fear  of  damping,  so  far  deprived  of  water 
that  the  foliage  turns  yellow  and  the  stems  become  hard,  vigorous  spikts 
cannot  be  produced.  The  plants  must  be  kept  growing  freely,  and  to 
this  end  copious  supplies  of  water  must  be  given  in  dry  weather. 
Plunging  the  pots,  however,  conserves  moisture,  and  the  plants  invariably 
grow  more  freely  and  satisfactorily  when  the  pots  are  plunged  than  when 
they  are  exposed  to  the  drying  influences  of  the  air  and  extreme  changes 
of  temperature.  Mignonette,  too,  rejoices  in  a  good  larder.  The  soil 
must  be  rich  and  firm,  so  that  the  food  is  not  only  good,  but  a  large 
quantity  is  compressed  into  a  small  space. 
Clean  pots,  well  drained  and  firmly  filled,  or  nearly  filled,  with  sound 
rich  soil,  and  seed  sown  in  them  very  thinly  at  the  present  time,  the  pots 
being  plunged  in  ashes  and  so  placed  that  lights  can.be  placed  over 
them  in  very  wet  weather,  will,  with  proper  attention  to  wateiing,  yield 
a  fine  crop  of  Mignonette  in  the  early  winter  months  ;  and  the  plants,  if 
kept  in  a  genial  temperature  and  a  light  house,  will  continue  flowering 
all  through  the  winter.  The  plants  must  be  thinned  very  early  (that  is 
of  great  importance),  leaving  about  five  in  a  5-inch  pot.  In  these  pots 
the  plants  will  flower  perfectly,  but  if  large  bushes  are  required  for 
cutting  from  throughout  the  winter  the  plants  must  be  shifted  into 
larger  pots  before  the  seed  pots  become  closely  matted  with  roots  ;  in 
fact,  potting  must  be  done  when  the  roots  are  in  full  activity,  and  when 
the  plants  are  young  and  luxuriant.  When  in  this  state  it  is  surprising, 
the  weather  being  dry,  how  much  water  Mignonette  will  not  only 
endure  but  rejoice  in.  It  is  when  the  plants  are  quite  young,  and  before 
the  pots  are  occupied  with  roots,  that  large  supplies  of  water  are  fatal ; 
but  the  safety  valve  against  this  is  in  plunging  the  pots,  rendering 
frequent  and  heavy  waterings  unnecessary,  and  protecting  the  plants 
against  drenching  showers. 
It  is  important  in  growing  Mignonette  that  a  pit  or  frame  be  entirely 
devoted  to  the  plants,  so  that  the  proper  treatment  can  be  given  them 
