December  9,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
557 
Naming  Chrysanthemums  at  Shoavs. 
It  is  time  Chrysanthemum  societies  insisted  upon  having  the  names  of 
the  blooms  printed  or  written  clearly,  and  placed  in  such  a  manner  that 
olBcials  and  visitors  can  see  at  a  glance  what  the  names  are  intended  to 
represent.  Too  often  the  wrong  name  is  placed  against  certain  blooms, 
whether  designedly  or  not  I  cannot  say,  but  occasionally  I  am  compelled 
to  act  upon  the  assumption  that  they  are  so  misnamed  to  be  misleading 
for  an  obvious  purpose. 
However,  this  latter  is  not  the  object  for  which  I  write  this  note,  as 
in  other  ways  I  can  deal  with  wilful  misrepresentation.  Some  societies 
stipulate  that  the  names  of  cut  blooms  shall  be  written  on  labels  supplied 
by  the  society.  Such  a  plan  renders  the  naming  of  the  blooms  a  uniform 
arrangement.  Too  often  we  see  the  names  scratched  on  two  half  sheets 
of  note  paper  in  pencil,  and  very  unintelligible,  too,  is  the  writing.  These 
said  sheets  of  paper  are  laid  on  the  stand,  and  more  often  they  are  found 
on  the  floor  than  anywhere  else.  When  such  names  are  badly  written, 
and  only  partly  written— for  instance,  Alcester  for  Lord  Alcester — it  is 
most  difficult  for  visitors  to  copy  correctly  the  names  for  future  guidance 
in  forming  a  collection,  especially  if  they  are  purely  beginners. 
No  method  of  naming  cut  blooms  on  stands  that  I  have  seen  is  so 
good  as  that  adopted  by  Mr.  Fowler,  Taunton.  He  has  affixed  to  the 
front  of  his  stand  an  arrangement  of  wire,  which  has  space  for  three 
stout  cards,  on  which  the  name  of  each  bloom  in  the  row  above  is  plainly 
printed.  Visitors  and  all  concerned  can  see  at  a  glance  what  each  bloom 
is,  and  I  have  never  seen  one  wrongly  named  on  his  stands.  Surely  what 
one  man  can  do  others  might  copy  in  some  form,  even  if  they  do  not  to 
the  extent  of  printing  the  names.  Cards  with  the  name  plainly  written 
would  suffice.  Small  square  envelopes,  affixed  to  the  stand  by  the 
adhesive  flap,  answer  well,  as  abundance  of  space  is  available  on  each 
for  the  three  names. 
Committees  of  all  societies,  where  the  exhibitors  are  lax  in  naming, 
would  be  doing  a  public  good  if  they  strongly  notified  in  their  schedule 
that  all  blooms  must  be  distinctly  named.  It  is  not  only  a  distinct 
inconvenience  to  visitors  on  the  show  day  that  bad  naming  is  repre¬ 
hensible,  but  there  it  does  not  end.  Visitors  are  charmed  with  certain 
blooms  in  a  stand,  take  the  name  there  given,  and  order  plants  from  some 
Chrysanthemum  specialist,  who  naturally  sends  the  variety  named.  After 
ten  months  labour  and  attention  have  been  expended,  the  variety  turns 
out  to  be  something  else.  Of  course  the  vendor  is  blamed  for  not  sending 
the  variety  true  to  name.  Thus  wrong  naming  is  a  complete  nuisance 
to  all  concerned.  Some  exhibitors  do  not  even  take  the  trouble  to  name 
their  blooms  at  all.  A  remedy  is  easily  found  for  such  omissions. — E.  M. 
Chrysanthemum  Notes. 
Now  that  the  exhibition  season  has  run  its  course,  growers  must  needs 
settle  down  to  the  preliminaries  of  another  year— resolutions  made 
respecting  future  action,  selections  for  various  purposes,  solicitations  for 
advice  from  specialists,  exchange  of  cuttings  from  friends,  as  well  as  the 
yearly  purchases  in  up-to-date  novelties  from  the  nurseries. 
Among  the  amateur  portion  of  the  .lournal  readers,  Mr.  Molyneux’s 
always  welcome  selections  of  the  best  exhibition  sorts  will  be  anticipated, 
and  on  their  behalf  might  I  be  allowed  to  ask  your  able  correspondent  to  give 
us  his  notes  early,  so  that  growers  who  rely  on  the  selection  so  generously 
given  during  the  past  few  seasons  may  be  able  to  complete  their  list  and 
order  their  new  additions  in  good  time  ?  Mr.  Molyneux  has  already  shown 
by  his  notes  on  judging  groups  and  plants  that  his  interest  in  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  growers  does  not  abate.  I  fully  endorse  his  remarks 
respecting  the  prominent  feature  groups  convey  in  the  exhibition  hall,  and 
agree  with  him  that  they  add  as  much,  if  not  more,  to  the  general  beauty 
of  a  show  than  all  the  cut  blooms.  This  is  a  bold  assertion  to  make  before 
so  vast  a  number  of  cut-bloom  exhibitors  ;  but  it  is,  nevertheless,  a  fact, 
for  what  comparison  would  there  be  in  an  exhibition  without  groups,  and 
one  with  the  centre  or  sides  of  a  hall  fully  occupied  ?  I  repeat  that 
grouping,  when  artistically  carried  out,  is  a  finer  feature,  though  not  so 
generally  popular  a  one  as  the  cut  blooms. 
With  all  the  wealth  of  variety,  both  in  old  and  new  kinds,  it  seems 
strange  that  societies  follow  so  strictly  on  orthodox  lines,  giving  prizes 
for  mixed  collections,  varying  only  in  numbers.  With  such  a  really 
first-rate  assortment  of  whites  and  yellows  —  in  fact  these  colours  are  much 
more  numerous  than  any  others— how  easy  it  would  be  to  vary  the  display 
by  having  classes  for,  say,  twelve  white,  in  not  less  than  six  distinct  sorts, 
and  the  same  in  yellow  shades.  At  provincial  shows,  no  doubt,  there  is  a 
difficulty  in  instituting  new  classes  such  as  this  for  want  of  funds,  but 
such  is  not  always  the  case.  At  some  of  the  leading  shows  there  are 
classes  for  the  reflexed  section,  one  that  seldom  finds  good  support,  and  is 
the  least  effective  of  any.  Were  these  displaced  1)y  a  similar  number  of 
yellow  or  white  varieties,  without  any  material  difference  made  in  the 
value  of  the  prizes,  a  much  more  interesting  contest  would  result.  The 
classes  for  six  of  one  sort  are  useful,  but  they  would,  I  think,  be  more  so 
were  a  larger  selection  of  sorts  allowed. 
Single  varieties  obtain  scant  recognition  from  exhibitors  or  societies, 
and  although  their  numbers  are  added  to  yearly  by  new  seedlings,  they 
are  not  receiving  the  attention  from  growers  their  merits  deserve.  They 
find  a  place  in  some  of  the  prizewinning  groups,  and  lend  a  lightness 
and  finish  to  the  front,  where  in  small  pots  they  are  so  much  needed.  From 
among  the  large  numbers  of  sorts  the  dainty  Miss  Rose  seems  the  most 
popular  at  present,  hut  even  this  is  spoilt  by  being  grown  into  large 
bushes. 
Many  of  the  leading  varieties  appearing  on  the  show  board  are 
among  the  be.'«t  for  decorative  purposes.  That  fine  white,  Mrs.  H. 
Weeks,  has  been  a  particularly  prominent  one  for  cutting  into  sprays,  j 
Phoebus,  another  favourite  of  the  year,  too,  is  equally  pleasing  in  bush 
form,  as  is  also  Golden  Gate.  In  the  incurved,  Glohe  d’Or,  Major 
Bonnaffon,  and  Bonnie  Dundee  give  very  fine  cutting  material.  At  the 
present  time  Cecil  Wray,  Niveus,  Lady  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Bruce  Findlay, 
Florence  Davis,  and  Amos  Perry  are  making  a  good  display.  Plants 
intended  for  late  flower  are  much  influenced  by  the  mild  weather.  Golden 
Gem  and  L.  Canning  with  others  being  in  a  very  forward  state. — W.  S., 
Wilts. 
[Have  our  correspondent  and  Mr.  Molyneux  been  in  telepathic 
communication  ?  M'^hen  the  former  was  penning  his  appeal  the  latter  was 
probably  at  work  on  his  selections.  The  first  portion  of  these  appears  in 
this  issue.  Classes  for  whites,  yellows,  and  crimson,  much  on  the  lines 
suggested  in  the  third  paragraph,  have  been  instituted  and  were  at  the 
N-C.S.  November  show  a  distinct  success  ;  they  were  also  particularly 
effective  at  Winchester.! 
Treatment  of  Chrysanthemum  Cuttings. 
Cultivators  differ  in  their  treatment  of  Chrysanthemum  cuttings 
after  insertion.  Some  follow  the  generally  recognised  orthodox  method  of 
placing  the  pots  containing  the  cuttings  under  hand-lights  or  in  a  frame, 
covering  the  latter  with  a  light  which  can  be  removed  entirely  or  opened 
to  any  extent.  The  same  principle  is  followed  Avhen  the  cutting  pots  are 
placed  in  any  portable  box  and  covered  with  loose  panes  of  glass.  The 
main  object  in  these  methods  is  to  exclude  a  too  free  circulation  of  air, 
which  causes  rapid  evaporation  from  the  leaves,  thus  preventing  ready 
rooting.  The  soil,  too,  can  be  kept  in  a  uniform  condition  of  moisture, 
rendering  the  possibility  of  its  becoming  sour  through  frequent  applica¬ 
tions  of  water  less  likely  to  occur.  When  properly  carried  out,  this  is, 
I  think,  the  best  method  to  follow.  It  involves  daily  attention  in  wiping 
the  glass  dry,  so  that  damping  may  not  be  caused  by  the  accumulation 
of  moisture  upon  the  glass. 
Another  method  of  treatment  is  sometimes  adopted  with  success.  This 
is  to  place  the  cutting  pots  on  the  shelf  of  a  greenhouse  near  the  glass.  I 
should  hesitate  to  mention  this  method  had  I  not  seen  it  successfully 
carried  out ;  but  it  was  not  in  a  large,  dry,  airy  structure.  The  cuttings 
were  lightly  syringed  frequently,  thus  preventing  the  atmosphere  becoming 
unduly  dry,  and  the  leaves  showing  distress  by  wilting.  I  have  tried 
rooiing  cuttings  in  a  vinery,  syringing  or  dewing  them  over  every  day  ; 
but  though  I  was  successful  in  rooting  the  majority,  it  was  a  rather  slow 
process,  and  not  equal  to  the  more  rational  way  of  protection  from  free 
evaporation. 
Short  sturdy  cuttings  which  have  attained  vigour  by  exposure  to 
light  and  air  are  the  most  likely  to  succeed  under  this  method,  but  weak 
or  sappy  cuttings  may  succumb.  In  any  case  there  must  be  greater  efforts 
made  by  the  leaves  to  supply  the  needful  circulation  of  sap,  so  that 
roots  can  be  formed.  Under  very  favourable  conditions  the  plan  is  good, 
and  when  it  can  be  carried  out  readily  it  is  worthy  of  adoption. 
Propagation  by  means  of  a  little  bottom  heat  is  favoured  by  some.  It 
requires  considerable  attention  in  preventing  the  deposition  of  moisture  on 
the  glass  of  the  frame  or  box  to  such  an  extent  as  to  drop  into  the  hearts  of 
the  cuttings,  causing  rapid  decay.  When  the  first  roots  have  been  formed, 
too,  the  growth  will  rapidly  extend  and  be  weakened  if  air  is  not  freely 
given. 
Whatever  method  is  employed  it  is  essential  that  the  details  for  carry¬ 
ing  it  out  to  the  best  advantage  be  studied  and  acted  upon.  Cuttings  will 
probably  root  readily  under  the  full  exposure  system  as  the  sap  becomes 
more  active  in  spring,  but  as  a  rule  a  little  confinement,  so  as  to  keep  the 
leaves  fresh,  is  the  best  incentive  for  quickly  establishing  the  cuttings. — 
E.  D.  S. 
Chrysanthemum  Leaf  Rust. 
Mr.  Briscoe-Ironside’s  interesting  notes  on  this  parasite  (page  532) 
accord  with  species  of  Puccinia  generally,  the  infection  always  ascending, 
the  leaves  first  attacked  not  communicating  the  disease  to  those  below, 
but  above  them.  The  lower  leaves,  therefore,  show  the  most  “rust,” 
because  the  first  and  fullest  developed,  while  on  the  younger  leaves  the 
specks  are  few,  or  appear  so,  for  a  time,  being  only  less  advanced. 
Evidently  the  first  infested  leaves  were  attacked  when  comparatively 
young,  even  the  lower  being  blacked  and  destroyed  before  the  disease 
was  noticed.  This  occurs  very  commonly  in  the  case  of  all  “  rusts,”  not 
a  great  number  of  disease  spots  appearing  on  the  leaves  in  the  early  part 
of  the  season,  hence  some  time  must  elapse  before  spores  can  be  produced 
in  such  numbers  as  to  insure  general  infestation. 
As  for  the  disease  emanating  from  the  roots,  the  idea  is  not  by  any 
means  without  precedent,  for  the  late  Mr.  T.  A.  Knight  found  Pear 
leaf  rust  appear  in  the  first  leaves  of  seedling  Pears,  the  parents  of  which 
had  been  infested,  and  the  Rev.  M.  .1.  Berkeley  also'  considered  that 
Wheat  might  be  infected  with  Uredo  linearis  by  the  roots.  It  may  he 
possible  for  the  pro-mycelium  or  first  growth  from  the  Puccinia  or  resting 
spore  to  enter  as  the  rootstock  sucker  of  the  Chrysanthemum,  and  thus  pass 
in  the  leaf  into  the  atmosphere,  there  to  develop  the  pustules,  or  at  least 
one,  and  the  spores  from  this  seize  on  the  other  parts  of  the  leaf  and 
those  forming  above  it.  It  is  more  likely  however,  that  the  pro¬ 
mycelium  produces  its  spores  above  the  surface  of  the  soil,  and  these 
infect  the  leaves  immediately  above  the  earth. 
No  doubt  excessive  root  moisture  would  favour  infection  by  inducing 
a  softer  condition  of  the  leaf  tissues,  but  as  without  eggs  there  are  no 
chickens,  so  there  cannot  be  any  Chrysanthemum  leaf  rust  without  the 
pre-existence  of  germs.  This  continuation  was  first  demonstrated  or 
suggested  by  the  eminent  Italian  naturalist,  Spallanzani,  in  opposition  to 
the  absurd  doctrine  of  spontaneous  generation,  and  verified  by  Professor 
Tyndall. 
