October  29,  1898. 
JOUnj^AL  OF  HORTIOULTVRFj  and  COTTxiGE  GAROFNER. 
41? 
Chrysanthemum  Major  Bonaffon. 
I  SHALL  be  surprised  if  “  Plymouth  ”  does  not  write  this  week  to 
the  Journal  saying  he  made  a  slip  of  the  pen  when  noting  this  variety 
m  Messrs.  Drover’s  collection  as  belonging  to  the  Japanese  section. 
1  think  he  not  only  grows  but  shows  it  as  an  incurved  variety. — E.  M. 
Chrysanthemum  Calvat’s  Australian  Gold. 
In  the  notice  of  Chrysanthemums  at  Trent  Park  (page  395)  it  is 
questioned  whether  this  variety  will  justify  itself  in  all  that  is  expected 
of  it.  I  am  certain  that  this  variety  will  take  premier  place  among  the 
yellows,  nothing  can  compare  with  it.  Equal  in  size  to  Madame  Carnot, 
and  something  of  the  same  form,  but  the  colour  is  a  charming  canary 
yellow  ;  plant  of  medium  height,  and  one  of  the  easiest  and  healthiest 
growers  in  existence.  The  American  Modesto  I  consider  the  best  of 
rich  golden  yellows  that  has  yet  been  introduced.— W.  J.  Godfrey, 
Exmouth. 
Chrysanthemum  Pride  op  Madfobd. 
Hr.  Molyneux,  in  giving  a  list  of  October  varieties,  describes 
this  variety  as  rich  rosy  amaranth.  As  I  had  it  two  years  ago  it  was  a 
dull  blood  red,  or  duller  than  that,  and  was  immediately  discarded,  I 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  variety  certificated  last  season  as 
Pride  of  Madford  (see  page  418)  was  no  other  than  Beauty  of  Teignmonth, 
which  a  fortnight  later  was  also  certificated.— W.  J.  Godfrey. 
Collected  Notes  on  the  Chrysanthemum  in  the  North. 
As  we  gradually  draw  nearer  the  exhibition  season  the  interest  in 
the  development  of  the  buds  increases.  As  my  notes  are  gathered  from 
personal  observations,  and  from  reliable  reports  of  growers  and  exhibitors 
spread  all  over  the  broad-acred  shire  and  beyond,  it  is  gratifying  to 
chronicle  the  hopeful  tone  prevailing.  When  this  is  supported  by  the 
reports  already  published  of  other  districts  the  impressions  are  being 
confirmed  that  the  general  quality  of  the  blooms  at  the  coming  shows 
will  at  least  be  equal  to  that  of  former  yearsi 
High  colour,  which  usually  accompanies  other  good  qualities  of  the 
bloom,  is  this  year  especially  noticeable  in  both  buds  developing  and 
flowers  expanded.  Taking  into  consideration  the  important  function 
which  light  is  supposed  to  perform  in  the  development  of  colour,  the 
results  this  season  clearly  indicate  that  other  important  factors  have  to 
be  reckoned  with  as  bearing  upon  this  interesting  question.  Probably 
the  peculiarities  of  temperature,  incidental  to  the  present  season,  may 
give  the  key  to  the  problem  why  the  colour  of  blooms  developed  from 
the  second  crown  and  terminal  buds  is  so  much  superior  to  that  resulting 
from  the  blooms  from  earlier  buds. 
Midway  between  Doncaster  and  Pontefract  lies  a  typical  tract  of 
Yorkshire  scenery  arable,  pastoral,  and  woodland,  hill  and  valley  in 
bold  undulations  all  blended  together  in  pleasing  proportions.  The 
substantial  homes  of  the  landed  gentry  scattered  over  the  pleasant 
land,  within  neighbourly  distance,  each  with  its  gardens  and  gardeners, 
and  as  a  natural  sequence  its  collection  of  Chrysanthemums.  Notwith¬ 
standing  the  rain  and  showers  between,  an  afternoon  was  pleasantly 
spent,  and  found  too  short  to  do  justice  to  all  the  best  of  them. 
The  first  place  visited  was  Emsall  Lodge,  the  seat  of  Mrs.  H.  L. 
Jones.  There  we  found  200  exceedingly  well  cultivated  plants.  Time 
after  time  at  the  Leeds,  Pontefract,  and  Barnsley  shows  Mr.  Dunn,  the 
gardener,  has  sustained  his  reputation  as  a  grower,  especially  of  the 
incurved  section,  which  again  this  year  show  promise  of  no  falling  off 
in  quality.  Madame  Darrier,  Brookleigh  Gem,  Baron  Hirsch,  Robt. 
Petfield,  Cbas.  Curtis,  Jeanne  d’Arc,  R.  C.  Kingston  are  promising  very 
fine.  In  this  category  may  also  be  included  all  the  Princess  of  Wales 
sections  and  those  of  the  Queen  type.  The  best  Japs  include  Mdlle. 
ThSrcse  Rey,  Dorothy  Shea,  Rose  Wynne,  Madame  Carnot,  Louise,  Eva 
Knowles,  Boule  d’Or  (Calvat’s),  Duchess  of  Wellington,  H.  Jacotot  fils. 
Commandant  Blussett,  Wm.  Tricker,  and  Mrs.  Harman  Payne. 
At  a  little  over  a  mile  distance  from  Emsall  Lodge  is  situated 
Badsworth,  the  seat  of  R.  H.  Jones,  Esq.  The  glass  department  is  well 
appointed,  as  are  the  gardens  throughout.  We  found  Mr.  Finlay,  the 
able  gardener,  note-book  in  hand,  amongst  the  Chrysanthemums,  which 
are  arranged  in  a  roomy  early  vinery,  the  collection  indicating  good 
cultivation.  Some  fine  buds  of  Robert  Owen  (the  plants  having  been 
stopped  the  first  week  in  May)  at  once  commanded  attention,  and  Com¬ 
mandant  Blussett  was  also  remarkable  for  high  colour,  breadth  of  floret, 
and  depth  of  bloom.  Other  promising  flowers  among  the  Japs  were 
Robert  Flowerday,  Wm.  Seward,  E.  Molyneux,  Duchess  of  .Wellington, 
Rose  Wynne,  President  Borel,  Amos  Perry,  and  Florence  Davis. 
Our  next  call  was  at  Ackworth  Moor  House,  the  seat  of  Charles 
Simpson,  Esq.,  where  we  found  Mr.  T.  Ketchell,  the  veteran  of  a  hundred 
fights,  inspecting  his  own  “  gallant  six  hundred,”  and  no  doubt  speculating 
on  the  chances  of  success  wherever  the  venue  might  be  laid.  Whether  it 
may  at  York  or  Leeds  or  elsewhere  his  Queens  and  Princesses  will  be 
in  evidence,  both  sections  being  remarkably  good.  The  other  promising 
incurveds  include  Lord  Rosebery,  Mrs.  R.  C.  Kingston,  Globe  d’Or, 
Chas.  Curtis,  and  D.  B.  Crane.  The  Japanese  are  represented  by  promising 
buds  of  Robt.  Owen,  Robt.  Flowerday,  Mons.  Panckoucke,  Duchess  of 
Wellington,  International,  Maggie  Blenkiron,  Mons.  Georges  Biron,  and 
a  wonderfully  fine  bloom  of  Mutual  Friend,  the  continual  evidence  of 
this  fine  variety  stamping  it  as  one  of  the  best. 
As  previously  stated,  to  those  I  am  unable  to  visit  personally  I  have 
addressed  Inquiries  re  the  prospects  of  the  season  to  growers  covering  a 
wide  area,  resulting  in  many  most  courteous  replies  and  hospitable 
invitations.  Mr.  Jas.  Folkard,  Sand  Hutton  Gardens,  writes  “that  a 
severe  hailstorm  in  July  made  sad  havoc  of  his  plants  when  making 
their  last  growth.  Buds  secured  at  the  usual  time  are  looking  promising, 
though  opening  slowly.  Amongst  the  newer  Japs  Mons.  Chenon  de 
Lech4  must  take  the  first  place ;  its  dwarf  habit,  thick  leathery  leaves 
withstood  the  hailstorm  better  than  any  other  variety,  and  its  blooms  are 
now  expanding  freely.  H.  Jacotot  fils,  Madame  B.  Capitant,  Inter¬ 
national,  Reine  de  I’Angleterre,  Chas.  Lawton,  and  Boule  d’Or  (Calvat’s) 
are  most  promising ;  Duchess  of  Wellington  and  Madame  Carnot  were 
cut  to  pieces,  the  latter  especially,  having  very  tender  foliage,  whilst 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Lees  is  very  late.  Incurveds,  J.  Fulford,  Wm.  Tunnington, 
J.  Agate,  and  Globe  d’Or  are  looking  well.  R.  Petfield  and  its  sport 
G.  Haigh  are  very  late.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  other  collections  1 
think  incurveds  will  be  an  improvement  on  last  year,  and  I  see  no 
reason  why  the  Japanese  varieties  should  not  develop  up  to  average 
form.” 
Mr.  Clayton,  Grimston  Park,  whose  plants  are  grown  mostly  in  the 
natural  bush  form  for  decorative  purposes  writes  : — “  Owing  to  the 
continued  wet  and  sunless  weather  for  the  last  two  months  our  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  are  later  and  not  so  good  as  in  previous  years.  Only  the 
very  early  varieties  are  yet  in  bloom.  1  hear  that  damping  is  somewhat 
prevalent  amongst  the  growers  in  this  district.  My  old  friend  Mr.  Croft 
of  Oxton  Hall  has  a  promising  collection.” 
Mr.  Townsend,  in  charge  of  the  noted  Belvedere  Gardens,  Harrogate, 
says,  “  We  have  had  two  months  of  almost  continuous  rain  here,  yet  the 
wood  of  the  Chrysanthemums  appears  to  be  fairly  matured.  The  foliage 
is  splendid,  thick  and  leathery,  but  it  is  rather  too  soon  to  state 
definitely  how  the  new  varieties  will  turn  out.  There  are  many  of  great 
promise.  In  the  older  section  the  flowers  show  refinement  of  bloom 
though  lucking  in  depth  ”  _ _ 
Mr.  Grix,  Gledhow,  states  that  the  Leeds  show  is  very  late  this 
year  (November  24th),  and  a  consequence  most  of  the  exhibitors  are 
relying  upon  the  crown  buds,  so  that  it  is  yet  too  soon  to  give  a  definite 
opinion  on  the  quality  of  the  blooms,  but  in  a  cordial  invitation  to  visit 
him  he  promises  to  pilot  me  round  three  or  four  collections  of 
600  plants.  _ 
Mr.  Leadbetter,  Tranby  Croft,  writes  that  the  prospects  around  Hull 
are  good,  and,  like  Mr.  Grix,  tempts  one  by  a  cordial  invitation  to 
try  the  sonndnesss  of  his  trap  and  the  staying  power  of  his  horse.  As 
the  acceptance  of  the  invitation  (for  one)  involves  the  carriage  of  over 
2  cwts.  of  extra  ballast,  whether  the  horse  enjoys  the  excursion  as  well 
as  the  two  or  three  mummers,  is  a  question  to  be  decided  after  the  event. 
Considering  the  importance  of  the  two  centres,  Leeds  and  Hull,  and 
placing  in  the  opposite  scale  the  risks  to  be  run,  the  calls  of  duty  and 
inclination,  especially  the  latter,  demand  the  acceptance  of  the  invitation, 
—A  Yorkshire  Grower. 
Specialities  in  Prize  Schedules. 
{Concluded  from  page  394.) 
Gloucester  and  St.  Neots  open  the  following  week  with  their  displays 
on  Monday,  the  9th.  Tuesday,  10th,  is  a  busy  day  at  Kingston,  Reigate, 
Clivedon,  and  Croydon.  At  the  former  the  eighth  challenge  vase  is  to 
be  comneted  for.  The  class  being  for  forty-eight  distinct  blooms,  half 
to  be  Japanese  and  the  remainder  incurved,  is  looked  upon  as  a  strong 
test  of  cultural  skill.  With  the  vase,  valued  at  25  guineas,  £5  is  given, 
with  prizes  of  £4,  £3,  and  £2.  Good  prizes  are  also  offered  in  other 
classes. 
At  Croydon  a  25-guinea  challenge  cup,  with  £4  added,  is  given 
for  thirty-six  Japanese  blooms,  in  not  less  than  twenty-four  varieties. 
On  the  same  day  the  West  of  England  Chrysanthemum  Society  holds 
its  annual  show  in  the  Guildhall  at  Plymouth.  The  principal  class 
is  one  for  forty-eight  Japanese  blooms.  £10  is  the  first  prize.  For 
half  that  number  of  incurved,  in  not  less  than  eighteen  varieties,  £4 
is  offered  to  the  winner.  At  Brighton  on  the  same  date  the  meeting 
opens  in  the  Royal  Pavilion,  a  site  well  suited  for  such  a  purpose. 
Exceedingly  fine  groups  and  trained  plants  of  Chrysanthemums  are 
usually  here.  Cut  blooms  are  also  a  distinct  feature.  Four  prizes, 
the  highest  £5,  are  offered  for  thirty-six  Japanese,  and  other  sections 
receive  due  recognition  from  the  Committee. 
Wednesday,  the  11th,  is  the  busiest  day  of  all ;  no  less  than  twenty- 
seven  shows  open  on  that  day.  In  the  North  Hull  and  Liverpool,  and 
in  the  Midlands  Birmingham  will  be  the  centre  of  attraction.  Perhaps 
there  is  no  Society  in  existence  offering  so  much  value  in  prizes 
annually  for  Chrysanthemums  alone  as  Hull  does.  No  less  than 
forty-six  classes  are  provided.  In  the  cut  bloom  department  £10  and  a 
silver  cup  value  5  guineas  are  offered  for  twenty-four  incurved,  similar 
prizes  for  Japanese,  twenty-four  distinct.  The  decorative  effect  of  the 
Chrysanthemum  is  not  forgotten,  prizes  being  offered  for  baskets  and 
vases  filled  with  blooms  and  foliage.  In  the  plant  department,  besides 
the  numerous  c]a88(‘8  for  trained  specimens,  William  Wheatley,  Esq., 
offers  a  challenge  vase  value  20  guineas,  along  with  a  cash  prize  of  £7, 
for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  and  foliage  plants  arranged  for  effect. 
It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  nowhere  can  such  grouping  be  seen. 
