December  2,  1897. 
JOimNAL-  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDE  NEK. 
strictly  belonging  to  the  true  type  of  Chinese  or  incurved  blooms.  Too 
many  are  mongrel  bred,  the  result  of  seedling  raising  now  becoming  so 
much  more  common  than  formerly. — S.lDOC. 
Treatmext  of  Late  Chrysanthe.mums. 
The  season  for  large  and  extraordinary  sized  blooms  having  now- 
approached  its  end,  and  the  last  of  the  exhibitions  are  being  held,  greater 
attention  is  paid  to  the  varieties  which  are  found  to  possess  blooms  in  a 
fresh^  presentable  condition,  yet  of  fair  average  size.  Some  blooms 
remain  in  splendid  condition  for  a  long  time.  For  instance.  Rose  Wjmne 
among  the  light  blooms,  Col.  W.  B.  Smith  among  the  bronze,  W.  Seward 
among  the  dark  varieties,  Silver  King  of  those  of  rosy  mauve  colours, 
with  several  other  representative  sorts,  all  seem  to  keep  well  for  weeks. 
The  conditions  which  enable  growers  to  preserve  the  colour,  freshness, 
and  form  of  the  flowers  are  simple,  yet  important.  In  my  opinion  they 
are  these  ;  — Previous  good  culture,  including  right  selection  of  buds, 
judicious  feeding,  healthy  foliage,  correct  watering,  constant  circulation 
ot  air  among  the  plants  after  housing,  comparative  freedom  from  mildew, 
disposing  the  plants  thinly,  if  possible,  in  a  light,  airy  structure  ;  freedom 
from  dnp  or  deposition  of  moisture  on  the  blooms,  either  by  sudden 
variations  of  temperature  and  moisture,  or  exposure  to  fogs  ;  applying 
clear  water  only  after  the  blooms  are  two-thirds  expanded  ;  examining 
state  of  soil  for  water  every  day  ;  picking  off  dead  leaves  ;  and  shade 
from  strong  sunshine.  The  more  growers  think  and  act  on  the  majority 
of  the  points  alluded  to  above,  the  better  will  they  achieve  success  in 
perfecting  and  preserving  the  blooms. 
Chrysanthemums  approaching  to  or  in  bloom  do  not  need  at  any  time 
a  high  temperature  by  means  of  fire  heat.  However,  artificial  heat  is  of 
great  assistance  in  preventing  the  temperature  descending  so  low  as  to 
become  cold  and  saturated  with  moisture.  To  this  end  it  should  be  used, 
and  not  to  cause  excessive  evaporation  from  the  foliage  and  the  soil ; 
50°,  with  a  little  ventilation  even  in  cold  weather,  is  a  good  average, 
rising  in  mild  wealher  and  descending  a  little  in  colder. 
The  smaller  and  useful  blooms  now  developing  for  a  late  display  arc 
even  better  adapted  for  preservation  in  fine  condition  than  those  of  large 
proportions  and  multifarious  florets.  The  conditions  for  keeping  them 
are  usually  more  favourable  in  December  than  any  other  time.  Large 
numbers  of  plants  which  have  gone  out  of  bloom  have  been  cut  down 
and  taken  out  ;  room  is,  therefore,  available.  It  is  frequently  easier  to 
preserve  the  blooms  after  they  are  fully  open  than  it  is  to  induce  them  to 
expand  properly.  Checks  at  the  roots  may  cause  the  centre  florets  to 
cease  growth,  when  decay  sets  in  and  the  blooms  are  spoiled. 
The  best  possible  treatment  ought  to  be  accorded  Chrysanthemums 
in  bloom  at  this  period  and  midwinter,  for  they  are  among  the  brightest 
and  freshest  flowers  available  ;  and  no  matter  how  small  the  flowers  may 
be,  if  of  good  shape  and  decided  colour  they  are  sure  to  be  appreciated. — S. 
SHOWS. 
LEAMINGTOX.— November  25th  and  2flTH. 
In  being  favoured  with  fine  weather  after  a  succession  of  depressingly 
foggy  days,  the  above  Society  was  singularly  fortunate  in  regard  to  its 
annual  show,  which  was  in  every  way  a  pronounced  success.  Although 
in  a  few  classes  the  entries  were  not  numerous,  the  quaht}'  of  the  exhibits 
throughout  was  of  a  high  order  of  merit.  The  show  was  opened  by  the 
Mayor  (Councillor  Gordon  Bland),  and  the  attendance  being  good,  will 
help  to  place  the  Society  on  a  more  sound  financial  basis  than  heretofore. 
Mr.  L.  L.  Lawrence,  the  popular  Hon.  Secretary,  was  indefatigable  in  his 
exertions  to  make  the  exhibition  a  success,  and  in  this  laudalfle  endeavour 
he  was  well  supported  by  an  enthusiastic  Committee,  with  Mr.  .1.  Kitley 
as  Chairman. 
For  a  group  of  Chrysanthemum  plants  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space 
not  exceeding  60  feet,  Mr.  R.  Greenfield,  jun.,  Ranelagh  Nursery, 
Leamington,  secured  the  first  prize  with  an  exhibit  composed  of  well 
grown  plants  carrying  many  fine  blooms,  the  whole  being  arranged  well 
and  finished  in  good  style.  The  same  exhibitor  secured  the  premier 
award  for  one  .Japanese  Chrysanthemum  plant,  and  for  three  and  six. 
Cut  blooms  were  wonderfully  fine  considering  the  lateness  of  the 
fixture,  and  in  many  instances  the  competition  was  remarkably  close. 
For  twenty-four  .Japanese,  distinct,  the  premier  award  was  well  won  by 
Mr.  A.  Chandler,  gardener  to  the  JJon.  Mrs.  Arthur  James,  Coton  House, 
Rugby,  who  staged  flowers  of  Pne  size,  substance,  and  colour.  The 
varieties  were — Back  row :  Madame  Carnot,  Richard  Dean,  Mons. 
Panckoucke,  Mons.  Gruyer,  M.  Demay-Taillandier,  Phoebus,  and  Silver 
Jving.  Middle  row :  Simplicity,  Graphic,  JflJsere,  Mons.  Chenon  de 
I.iech4,  Boule  d’Or,  Etoile  de  Lyon,  Florence  Davis,  and  Golden  Gate. 
Front  row  :  Miss  Dorothea  Shea,  Oceana,  Mr.  Dr.  Ward,  Master  B. 
Spaulding,  Hairy  Wonder,  Mons.  C.  Molin,  JMith  Tabor,  and  Maggie 
Blenkiron.  The  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  R.  Greenfield,  jun.,  whose  best 
blooms  were  Amiral  Avellan,  Madame  Carnot,  and  .Miss  E.  Teichmann  ; 
Mr.  H.  Blakeway,  gardener  to  —  Muntz,  Esq.,  lJunsmore,  Rugby,  being  a 
close  third.  Mr.  Chandler  also  won  for  twelve  Jaj»anese,  with  a  stand 
containing  heavy  blooms  throughout ;  Mr.  W.  Pearce,  gardener  to  S.  I.joder, 
Esq.,  Flore  House,  Weedon,  being  a  very  close  second,  splendid  blooms  of 
Madame  Carnot,  Simplicity,  and  Mephisto  were  noticed  on  his  stand. 
The  third  award  went  to  ^Ir.  Rlakeway.  For  six  .lapanese,  Mr.  Fearce 
turned  the  tables  on  his  opponents,  winning  with  good  blooms  ;  the 
second  prize  went  to  ^Ir.  Blakeway. 
Two  classes  were  provided  for  incurved,  twelve  and  six  being  the 
number  required.  Mr.  R.  -Jones,  gardener  to  C.  A.  Smith-Ryland,  Esq., 
The  Gardens,  Barford  Hill,  Warwick,  won  somewhat  easily  in  both 
classes,  the  blooms  being  d<  ep,  good  in  form,  and  were  well  staged  ;  the 
varieties  being  C.  H.  Curtis,  C.  B.  Whitnall,  J.ord  Alcester,  Mdlle. 
Lucie  Faure,  Bonnie  Dundee,  Ma  Perfection,  W.  Tunnington,  Chas. 
Gibson,  and  ,1.  Agate.  Mr.  Pearce  was  second  for  both  twelve  and  six. 
His  best  blooms  were  grand  ones  of  W.  Tunnington  and  Bonnie  Dundee. 
^Ir.  R.  Greenfield  secured  the  third  award  for  the  twelve  incurved. 
Mr.  R.  Greenfield  secured  the  first  prize  for  a  bouquet  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  ;  and  Messrs.  Finch  k  Co.,  florists.  Milverton,  won  for  a  cross 
of  Chrysanthemums  and  foliage.  The  latter  firm  was  deservedly  first  for  a 
“  table  of  devices  ”  with  a  most  attractive  exhibit.  iMr.  .T.  I^itley,  Castle 
Nursery,  Warwick,  proved  an  easy  winner  in  the  class  for  six  table 
plants  ;  and  Mr.  Chandler  was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  six  flowering 
ones,  with  some  beautiful  specimens. 
iMr.  H.  Liney  won  the  £3  offered  for  the  best  collection  of  fruit,  to 
consist  of  three  bunches  of  Grapes,  three  dishes  of  Apples,  and  three 
dishes  of  I’ears,  his  exhibit  being  an  excellent  one  throughout.  Only 
one  collection  of  six  dishes  was  staged  ;  for  this  a  second  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Hopkins,  JJilden,  Milverton.  Mr.  Williams,  gardener 
to  Mrs.  (Mann,  J.eamington,  secured  the  first  prize  offered  for  two  bunches 
of  Grapes  by  Thomson  &  Sons,  Clovenfords,  and  Mr.  Chandler  won  for 
three  bunches  of  black.  Mr.  Jflney  secured  the  first  prize  for  dessert 
Apples  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Marsh,  Warwick,  a  similar  award  for  culinary 
Apples.  A  silver  medal  was  awarded  Mr.  F.  l^erkins  of  Leamington,  for  a 
delightful  exhibit,  in  which  I'alms  were  used  as  a  background  to  a  series 
of  beautifully  made  floral  devices. 
Messrs.  Clibran  &  Sons,  Altrincham,  staged  a  good  collection  of 
Apples  and  Chrysanthemums  and  some  fine  plants  of  Celosia  pyramidalis. 
These  plants  were  of  a  fine  branching  habit  of  growth,  and  as  the  colour 
of  the  plumes  w'as  bright  and  attractive  they  should  liecome  popular  for 
decorative  purposes  during  the  autumn  months. 
PALLANZA,  LAGO  iSJAGGJORE,  ITALY. 
November  6th,  7th,  and  8th. 
I  have  much  pleasure  in  informing  you  of  the  immense  success  of 
our  first  Chrysanthemum  Show,  which  took  place  at  I’allanza  on  the  6th, 
7th,  and  8th  ult.  There  were  in  all  about  forty  competitors,  in  addition 
to  several  who  exhibited  “  not  for  competition.” 
Classes  were  arranged  for  groups,  trained  plants,  collections  of  cut 
flowers  under  various  conditions,  also  for  decorative  work,  in  which 
Italian  gardeners  usually  excel.  The  exhibition  was  also  extended  to 
include  Cyclamens,  Violets,  and  foliage  plants,  which  are  a  feature  in 
this  part. 
As  may  have  been  expected,  cut  flowers  and  plants  were  eihibited 
in  almost  every  conceivable  manner,  medicine  and  soda  water  bottles 
being  to  the  fore,  but  the  primitiveness  in  some  instances  lent  a  charm  to 
the  flowers,  and  to  my  view  relieved  the  sameness  and  monotony  so  often 
met  with  at  the  exhibitions  of  Chrysanthemums  in  England.  One 
method  adopted  was  in  moss  to  the  depth  of  several  inches  being  placed 
on  tables,  and  kept  in  position  by  a  narrow  edging  of  wore  netting  nailed 
round.  In  this  moss  were  bottles  obscured  from  view  in  which  the 
blooms  were  inserted.  The  flowers  having  some  9  or  10  inches  of  stem 
with  foliage  were  seen  to  advantage,  and  the  effect  was  at  the  same  time 
simple  and  artistic. 
Considering  that  this  w'as  the  first  exhibition  held,  and  that  the 
climate  is  so  very  hot,  blooms  and  plants  were  very  fairly  represented, 
but  large  .Japanese  are  evidently  the  favourites  here,  as  at  the  English 
show-s,  the  other  sections  of  the  Chrysanthemum  being  entirely 
disregarded  except  by  myself,  and  of  these  the  Rundles,  Mdlle.  Elise 
Dordan,  Jving  of  Plumes,  and  the  single  Marguerites  were  much  admired. 
This  last  variety,  which  I  think  is  not  very  well  knowm,  or  rather, 
perhaps,  not  often  exhibited,  would  not  look  at  all  amiss  as  a  front 
l)order  to  a  large  group  by  reason  of  its  dwarf  growth  and  prolific 
flowering. 
I  should  like  to  say  a  word  in  praise  of  the  exhibits  in  the  decorative 
class,  w'hich  were  to  me  novel  and  attractive  without  the  aid  of  epergnes 
or  vases,  which  are  evidently  not  in  vogue  here.  One  exhibit  consisted 
of  a  huge  bunch  of  some  200  blooms  4  to  5  inches  in  diameter,  cut  with  very 
long  stems  and  arranged  loosely,  but  evenly,  in  an  oak  stand  covered  with 
Ivy  ;  another  resembled  a  bassinette  with  a  hood  beautifully  executed  ; 
while  a  third  exhibitor  fixed  upon  a  doorway  v/ith  a  stone  pillar  and  arch 
for  his  labours,  the  pillar  being  entirely  covered  with  regular  slanting 
lines  of  yellow  and  purple  blooms,  and  the  arch  with  immense  sprays 
artistically  arranged. 
Of  groups  there  were  few.  The  popular  fancy  is  for  lightness  and 
plenty  of  foliage  plants.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  was  called  to  account 
by  some  for  making  my  group  too  solid  ;  but,  personally,  I  hold  the  view 
that  when  the  flowers  are  fairly  large  they  are  more  advantageously  exposed 
to  view  for  comparison  when  close  to  one  another,  and  in  the  case  of  small 
blooms  they  are  more  favourably  exhibited  with  plenty  of  foliage  plants  ; 
but  this,  of  course,  is  entirely  a  matter  of  taste,  and  I  bow  to  those  who 
hold  a  contrary  opinion. 
The  Jving  of  Italy’s  gardener,  who,  by  the  way,  is  a  member  of  the 
N.C.S.,  sent  several  blooms  from  Monza,  which  consisted  of  some  promising 
seedlings.  New  varieties  were  also  well  e.xhibited  by  the  Italian 
Chrysanthemum  specialists,  Messrs.  Fratelli  Radaelli. 
fl'he  exhibition  was  followed  by  the  usual  dinner,  with  a  firm  determi¬ 
nation  to  hold  a  Chrysanthemum  show  every  year,  and  I  hope  next  year 
to  be  able  to  say  that  the  Society,  which  is  called  the  “  Societa  Orticola 
Verbanese,”  is  affiliated  to  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  of 
England. 
But  I  have  been  writing  this  when,  hy  the  side  of  me,  I  rind  our  local 
