406 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  2f^,  1897 
ceased,  and  the  formation  of  the  bud  took  place,  there  was  a  temporary 
lull  in  the  system  of  the  plants,  which,  together  with  the  condition  of  the 
roots  caused  by  excess  of  various  manures,  brought  on  the  disastrous 
results  before  stated.  The  reason  of  the  later  plants  escaping  the  evil  is, 
therefore,  (piite  obvious,  as  the  continuation  of  growth  alter  withholding 
stimulants,  having  exhausted  the  manurial  properties  from  the  soil,  the 
roots  with  the  top  growth  were  more  in  unison  one  with  the  other. 
Kespecting  remedies  for  damping  I  do  not  think  there  is  anything 
really  effectual.  Certainly,  when  caused  by  reason  of  heavy,  foggy,  or 
wet  weather,  and  drip,  it  may  be  obviated  to  a  certain  extent  by  paying 
careful  and  strict  attention  to  ventilating,  by  avoiding  draughts  or  too 
sudden  change  of  temperature,  and  by  applying  just  sufficient  fire  heat 
to  keep  the  air  dry  and  sweet.  But  in  cases  of  overfeeding,  which,  as 
before  stated,  I  contend  is  in  nine  cases  out  of  every  ten  at  the  very  root 
of  the  mischief,  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  remedy. 
In  conclusion,  I  would  say  in  reference  to  the  use  of  artificial  stimulants, 
let  your  motto  bo  “Discretion  with  forethought.” — G.  I’arrant,  Ware- 
ham,  Dorset. 
How  Chrysanthemttm  Growers  are  Made. 
The  Chrysanthemum  shows  up  so  brilliantly  at  this  particular  season 
that  any  gilding  of  “  the  golden  flower  ”  by  a  humble  grower  would  be 
not  only  unnecessary  but  decidedly  superfluous.  As  a  gardener  who  ten 
years  ago  knew  little  more  of  the  matter  than  the  man  in  the  moon,  and 
having  in  that  comparatively  short  period  waxed  and  waned  as  a  grower 
of  exhibition  blooms,  I  venture  to  e.xpress  a  few  thoughts  upon  a  matter  in 
which  so  many  are  directly  concerned.  Moreover,  to  me  at  least,  my 
present  stand|)oint  seems  particularly  favourable  for  a  dispassionate  view. 
The  same  influences,  too,  which  forced  me,  an  unwilling  competitor,  into 
the  thick  of  Chrysanthemum  contests,  are  sufficiently  powerful  and  far- 
reaching  to  account  for  a  great  number,  possibly  the  majority,  of  those 
who  now  pose  as  big  bloom  growers.  Hence,  in  speaking  for  myself,  I 
may  perhaps  be  the  mouthpiece  of  many  similarly  situated— gentlemen’s 
gardeners. 
As  first  impressions  often  go  a  long  way,  mine,  derived  from  the  first 
exhibition  T  witnessed,  may  commence  this  review.  This  exhibition  was 
at  Woolwich,  and  although  some  twenty-six  years  have  elapsed  since  that 
genial  old  gardener,  B - ,  my  master,  arranged  to  meet  me  and  walk 
over  in  the  evening  after  we  had  “cleaned  np,”  one  or  two  things  recall 
it  vividly  to  mind.  Certainly  the  Chrysanthemums  have  but  little  to  do 
with  it,  for  so  far  as  the  show  was  concerned  there  was  nothing  to  pay 
and,  comparatively,  but  little  to  see.  However,  curiosity  ran  rather  high, 
it  being  the  first  time  an3'thing  of  the  kind  had  been  heard  of  by  me,  and 
expectation,  perhaps,  went  higher  still  on  finding  B - at  the  trysting 
jflace  in  all  the  glory  of  a  swallow-tailed  coat  and  chimney-pot  hat,  this 
with  a  great  deal  of  the  chimney  in  it.  Well,  the  show,  which  was  styled 
a  conversazione,  consisting  of  more  of  the  latter  than  the  former,  the  buzz 
of  which,  assisted  by  a  piano  and  a  young  lady  who  sang,  helped  the  pro¬ 
ceedings  considerably. 
Here  and  there  a  few  “  specialists  ” — these,  I  suppose,  were  born,  not 
made — hovered  around  specimens,  chiefly  of  the  Bundle  family,  severely 
trained  in  the  way  they  should  go  to  cover  balloon  and  umbrella  trellises. 
What  is  now  lacking  in  data  upon  the  methods  emjfloyed  and  results 
obtained  by  these  pioneers  of  Chrysanthemum  exhibiting  must  be  com¬ 
pensated  for  in  remarking  that  Woolwichians  thought  their  show  suffi¬ 
ciently  important  to  invite  the  late  Emperor  Napoleon,  then  residing  at 
Chislehurst,  to  pay  it  a  visit.  His  Majesty'  responded,  and  had  it  all  to 
himself,  owing  to  the  committee  appointed  to  receive  him  presuming  upon 
Imperial  punctuality,  finding  when  they  were  ready  that  the  august  visitor 
had  been  and  seen  and  departed  up  to  time. 
Links  all  but  invisible  connect  these  first  impressions  with  a  show  held 
a  dozen  years  later,  when  the  big  blooms  came  very  much  as  a  surprise  to 
me,  although  at  this  time  a  head  gardener  and  grower  of  the  usual  com¬ 
plement  to  be  found  at  that  period  in  most  private  place.*.  I’eter  the 
Great  was  a  great  thing  then,  IMaiden’s  Blush  and  I^a  Triomi)hante  being 
also  conspicuous  among  the  .1  aps.  Chrysanthemum  society  was  at  that 
time  divided  into  two  classes  (and  very  strongly  divided,  too)— viz.,  those 
who  grew  big  blooms,  and  those  who  did  not.  To  the  latter  class,  which 
was  not  slow  in  expressing  pity,  mingled  with  a  little  contempt,  for  the 
former  misguided  beings,  I  thought  myself  fortunate  to  belong,  and 
possibly  should  still,  had  not  circumstances  beyond  control  rudely  con¬ 
verted  me.  And  how  many  gardeners  are  impelled  by  the  same  means  ! 
From  this  time  very  distinct  was  the  advance  in  culture  noted  each  year 
at  our  show,  varieties  annually  waxing  larger  and  brighter  and  better, 
and  the  more  that  this  was  the  case  the  more  did  we  outside  the  charmed 
circle  condemn  the  whole  system.  I,  in  particular,  had  neither  desire, 
nor  room,  nor  time  for  such  misapplied  energy  ,  but  somehow  each  year 
found  ns  at  the  show,  where  we  ostensibly  went  to  critisise,  but  covertly 
to  condemn. 
Speaking  now  for  myself,  and  not  for  that  great  condemnatory  party, 
which  has  ajiparentiy  dwindled  into  comparative  insignificance,  I  must 
openly  confess  that  those  big  blooms,  so  fresh,  so  bright,  so  perfect,  began 
to  exert  a  talismanic  influence,  although  the  method  of  their  production 
was  still  ^  mystery.  But  these  big  blooms  eventually  became  the  topic 
of  higher  circles  —our  masters  and  mistresses,  principally  the  latter,  who 
began  to  throw  out  hints,  which  clearly  showed  which  way  the  wind  was 
blowing.  “  Mrs.  So-and-so  would  like  you  to  go  over  and  see  her  Chrys¬ 
anthemums.”  “  Mr.  This  will  give  you  some  cuttings  of  large  kinds  ;  and 
Lady  That  wonders  you  do  not  grow  a  few  for  the  show.”  Soon  hints 
became  wishes,  and  an  employer’s  wish  is  wisely  interpreted  as  a 
command.  Very  reluctantly,  and  in  a  half-hearted  way,  I  started  on  my 
exhibition  career  with  1 00  plants  ;  went  for  the  cup,  and  went  nowhere 
near  it,  receiving  a  few  more  hints  from  head-quarters.  Well,  I  did  not 
say  much,  but  thought  a  lot;  in  fact  was  fairly  mettled— or  nettled, 
perhaps  being  stung  in  sundry  tender  parts ;  so  the  succeeding  year 
found  me  with  Molyneux's  little  i)ook  and  flOO  plants,  all  for  big  blooms  ; 
but  the  cup,  now  so  tantalising,  went  to  another,  whose  conversion  dated 
considerably  further  back. 
There  was  less  disappointment  at  this — the  second  venture— for  my 
power  over  these  plants  now  began  to  assert  itself,  and  the  following  year 
with  more  plants,  more  knowledge,  and  the  fever  fairly  raging,  there  was 
no  slip  ’twixt  the  cup  and  our  stand  of  Japs,  not  to  speak  of  a  trophy  for 
incurveds  and  sundry  prizes  in  smaller  classes.  I  can  only  say  that  it 
was  with  deep  regret,  from  circumstances  over  which  I  had  no  control, 
that  exhibiting  had  to  be  discontinued,  and  so  far  as  my  employers  are 
concerned  they  like  the  small  flowers  for  general  decorative  purposes, 
but  insist  upon  having  the  big  blooms  ^  well  for  the  r  own  delectation 
and  that  of  their  friends.  Hence  we  now  grow  those  best  suited  for 
present  purposes,  without  the  high  tension  experienced  in  exhibiting,  at 
the  waxing  of  which,  and  the  waning  of  which,  I  found,  as  doubtless 
hundreds  have  found,  that  “  Discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valour.” — 
Ex-Exhibitor. 
Chrysanthemum  Prospects  Bound  Bolton. 
Notwithstanding  the  adverse  atmospherieal  conditions,  it  is  * 
gratifying  to  note  the  many  excellent  collections  grown  in  this 
neighbourhood.  The  season,  in  fact,  promises  to  be  the  finest  on 
record.  Enthusiasm  runs  high  amongst  local  growers,  and  with  the 
show  near  at  hand  fine  displays  are  anticipated,  which  arouses  a  healthy 
spirit  of  emulation.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  enumerate  what  I  found  at 
each  place  separately.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  where  they  arc  grown  for 
the  exhibition  board,  or  specimen  plants,  or  lor  grouping,  the  outlook  is 
most  hopeful. 
The  most  noteworthy  amongst  the  Japanese  are — Australian  Gold, 
Arona,  Mrs.  Marling  Grant,  Mrs.  Hume  Long,  Col.  T.  C.  Bourne,  C.  W. 
Richardson,  Modesto,  L’Emindra,  Indiana,  Baron  Ad.  de  Bothschild, 
Belle  Mauve,  Australie,  Lady  Byron,  Lady  Bidgway,  Mons.  Chenon  de 
Leche,  Mons.  Demay  Taillandier,  Madame  Ad.  Chatin,  Madame  Carnot, 
Mrs.  John  Shrimpton,  Mutual  Friend,  John  Seward,  Deuilde  Jules  Ferry, 
Emily  Silsbury,  Mrs.  Briscoe  Ironside,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Lees,  Nyanza,  and 
Amiral  Avellan. 
Amongst  the  incurved  the  most  noticeable  are  Mrs.  .Tohn  Gardiner, 
L’Amethiste,  Ma  I’erfection,  John  Fulford,  Globe  d’Or,  Charles  H.  Curtis, 
J.  Agatfe,  Owen’s  Crimson,  William  Tunnington,  Baron  Hirsch,  and 
Major  Bonnaffon.  The  Queen  and  Princess  family  are  especially  good,  and 
well  timed  for  our  coming  show  on  November  19th  and  20th,  for  which  a 
very  comprehensive  schedule  has  been  prepared,  and  liberal  prizes  are 
offered. 
The  leading  class  in  the  open  section  is  twelve  incurved  and  twelve 
Japanese  blooms.  The  prizes  for  these  are  £5,  £J,  £2,  and  a  10-guinea 
challenge  cup  ;  other  prizes  in  this  section  are  especially  good.  The 
great  event  to  the  Bolton  peojde  is  the  Presidents  (John  Heywood, 
Esq.,  .T.P.)  prize,  a  silver  cup,  for  twelve  incurved  and  twelve  Japanese 
blooms.  This  class  is  confined  to  growers  residing  within  eight  miles 
round  Bolton. — B.  S. 
Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens. 
Fifteen  years  ago  I  paid  my  first  visit  to  the  Glasgow  Botanic 
Gardens,  and  have,  with  a  few  exce]itions,  made  a  rule  to  call  at  least 
once  every  year  since.  I  again  had  the  pleasure  of  looking  through  them 
on  the  22nd  inst.,  and  also  had  the  privilege  of  being  shown  the 
private  departments  personally  by  Mr.  Dewar.  I  was  so  much  struck  by 
the  healthy  appearance  of  the  Chrysanthemums  that  I  thought  a  few 
remarks  anent  them  would  not  be  out  of  place,  seeing  we  are  about  to 
enter  another  season  of  the  autumn  queen. 
There  are  close  on  4000  plants  grown  in  450  varieties.  In  the  first 
place,  I  looked  through  two  large  span-roofed  houses  full  of  early 
varieties.  I  noticed  several  very  good  specimen  blooms,  and,  the  colours 
being  nicely  blended,  they  made  a  fine  show.  These,  of  course,  were 
open  to  the  general  public,  and  in  the  private  department  there  were 
several  houses  filled  with  the  later  varieties,  and  were  well  timed  for  the 
great  exhibition  to  be  held  in  the  middle  of  next  month.  Each  house, 
surveyed  from  a  higher  level  than  the  plants,  showed  thousands  of  pro¬ 
minent  buds,  thrown  well  up  above  healthy,  dark  foliage,  which  cannot 
fail  to  make  a  handsome  show.  I  also  noticed  that  the  grower  thoroughly 
understands  the  art  of  feeding,  as  the  surface  of  the  pots  was  matted  with 
healthy  roots,  which  plainly  denoted  that  there  had  been  no  gorging. 
Although  they  have  passed  through  several  thick  fogs,  I  was  told  that 
there  had  been  no  damping. 
Several  of  the  earlier  ones  were  in  full  flower,  others  were  developing 
promising  blooms,  and  amongst  the  best  I  noticed  the  following  varieties:  — 
Mutual  Friend,  Emily  Silsbury  (very  good).  Commandant  Blusset, 
Madame  Rouviere  Houles,  Edith  Tabor,  Sim|)licity,  Lady  Bidgway 
(pretty).  Pride  of  Maidenhead  (large).  Mrs.  W.  H.  Lees,  Modesto, 
Amy  Shea,  Souvenir  de  Grenoble,  Madame  Gustave  Henry  (extra 
good),  Mr.  A.  Newell,  Duchess  of  York,  Mrs.  J.  Shrimpton,  H.  Woolman, 
Phoebus,  Mrs.  G.  Gover,  Eva  Knowles,  Miss  Bita  Schroeter,  Mrs.  Bilsland, 
Mrs.  Dewar  (a  grand  white),  and  an  unnamed  seedling.  The  three  latter 
are  of  Mr.  Dewar’s  own  raising,  of  which  more  will  be  heard.  New  York, 
Yellow  Madame  Carnot,  Amiral  xVvellan,  and  Australian  Gold.  The 
Corporation  of  Glasgow  encourages  these  exhibitions  both  in  the  Botanic 
Gardens  and  at  Camp  Hill,  and  a  large  winter  garden  on  the  green  is 
now  being  erected  for  public  displays,  which  are  usually  accompanied 
with  first-class  music.  The  citizens  show  their  approval  in  thou.sands. 
