558 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  9,  1897. 
The  Chrysanthemum  leaf  rust,  however,  was  not  noticed  until  the 
spring  of  this  year,  and  then  on  cuttings,  which  goes  a  long  way  to 
verify  Mr.  Briscoe-Ironside’s  statement  of  the  disease  coming  from  the 
soil ;  but  no  specimen  of  these  plants  was  examined,  and  not  until  August, 
1897,  was  the  disease  pronounced  decisively  in  both  the  Old  and  New 
World.  Why  did  not  the  parasite  appear  before  if  it  were  a  widespread 
species  ? 
Evolution  in  parasitism  certainly  attends  the  development  of  the 
“  host,  ’  or  rather  over-cultiv.ition.  We  raise,  and  to  the  highest  possible 
degree  cultivate,  new  varieties  of  particular  species  of  plants  — e  g..  Potatoes, 
Chrysanthemums,  and  parasites,  apparently.  Whatever  in  this  may 
be  due  to  cultural  errors  and  mistakes,  it  is  perfectly  clear  that  the  only 
cause  of  infection  can  come  from  some  pre-existent  germ  evolved  into 
form  and  possessing  power  capable  of  contending  with  the  different 
circumstances,  and  the  only  way  to  grapple  successfully  with  the  enemy 
will  consist  in  cultural  selection,  and  striving  for  a  race  affording  the 
largest  measure  of  resistance.  This  and  repression  comprise  the  chief 
features  of  evading  and  preventing  the  spread  of  parasites. — G.  Abbey. 
SELECT  NEW  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Japanese  Varieties. 
Foe  the  benefit  of  Journal  readers  generally,  as  a  reminder  of  the 
good  things  that  ought  to  be  added  to  collections  of  the  “  up-to-date  ” 
cultivator,  but  more  especially  for  those  who  have  not  the  opportunity  to 
judge  for  themselves,  I  present  my  annual  list  of  what  I  term  the  sterling 
varieties  of  the  year. 
Having  travelled  at  least  2000  miles  during  the  first  three  weeks  of 
November  in  visiting  shows  in  one  capacity  or  another,  I  have  had 
favourable  opportunities  to  see  the  new  varieties  under  various  conditions. 
The  following  notes  were  taken  from  personal  observation,  therefore 
should  they  differ  somewhat  from  catalogue  descriptions  in  the  matter  of 
colour,  detail,  and  floret  formation,  it  is  because  the  blooms  inspected  did 
not  come  up  to  the  published  description  of  the  vendors. 
The  complaint  is  fairly  general  this  season  that  the  number  of  really 
first-class  novelties  is  fewer  than  usual.  Perhaps  this  is  accounted  for  by 
the  high  standard  set  up  by  critics  appointed  to  discriminate  upon  the  merits 
of  the  new  varieties  before  they  receive  the  hall  mark  of  excellence. 
Unfavourable  comments  are  frequently  heard  from  disappointed 
exhibitors  regarding  the  non-awarding  of  certificates  for  blooms  thought 
by  themselves  deserving  of  recognition.  Responsible  members  of 
committees  have  a  public  duty  to  perform,  and  generally  speaking  they 
do  it  fearlessly.  I  am  distinctly  in  favour  of  withholding  certificates 
where  varieties  are  not  an  improvement  upon  existing  ones, 
I  think,  perhaps,  if  those  responsible  were  to  refuse  certificates  to  so 
many  of  what  I  call  mongrel-bred  incurved  varieties,  instead  of  granting 
them,  they  would  be  upholding  a  desirable  standard  in  this  section.  The 
inclusion  of  varieties  that  cannot  truthfully  be  termed  incurved  is 
a  step  in  the  wrong  direction,  and  one  that  cannot  be  the  means  of 
upholding  a  high  standard  in  this  section. 
As  the  Japanese  varieties  are  so  much  more  favourably  received  by 
the  public  generally,  I  will  place  them  first  on  the  list. 
Mrs.  W.  Mease. — When  I  say  that  this  is  a  pale  primrose  sport  from 
the  much  esteemed  Madame  Carnot,  I  need  offer  no  apology  for  placing 
it  first  on  the  list.  Last  year,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Mease  at  Downside,  it 
came  as  a  root  sport,  aVid  this  year  remained  perfectly  true.  Those  who 
saw  the  magnificent  bloom  in  this  grower’s  stand  at  the  November  show 
of  the  N.C.S.  will  not  readily  forget  it.  So  good  was  it  that  it  received  the 
award  as  the  premier  Japanese  bloom  in  the  show  in  spite  of  the  dozens 
of  handsome  specimens  of  its  parent  scattered  over  the  Westminster 
Aquarium.  The  bloom  in  question  measured  9  inches  wide  and  Ti  inches 
deep.  The  colour  is  a  soft  shade  of  primrose,  totally  distinct  from 
G,  J.  Warren,  which  is  really  a  yellow-flowered  variety. 
Mary  Molyneaar. — This  is  from  American  seed  and  was  raised  by  Mr,  N. 
Molyneux,  Rookesbury  Park,  Fareham,  in  1896,  It  is  safe  to  describe 
this  variety  as  the  finest  .Japanese  incurved  Chrysanthemum  in  culti¬ 
vation.  The  florets  are  long,  broad,  and,  what  is  important,  they  incurve 
loosely.  The  blooms  are  fully  9  inches  in  diameter.  The  colour  is 
unique,  a  warm  rosy  peach,  suffused  with  silver.  The  inside  of  the  florets 
is  flushed  purple.  As  the  growth  is  somewhat  tall,  and  the  wood 
brittle,  when  grown  to  produce  exhibition  blooms  each  branch  must 
receive  a  separate  stake  as  support.  Almost  every  shoot  produces  a  full 
sized  bloom,  whether  the  plants  are  topped  or  grown  on  the  natural 
system. 
Royal  Sovereign, — Also  belonging  to  the  incurving  section  of  .Japanese, 
with  loose  florets,  this  makes  a  deep  fine  bloom.  The  orange-yellow 
colour  is  pleasing  and  distinct. 
Ella  Ourtis. — The  formation  of  the  florets  of  this  reminds  one  of  Boule 
d  Or,  The  colour  is  rich  golden  yellow,  shaded  with  chestnut  and  bronze. 
Jt  is  a  promising  variety. 
Robert  Powell, — An  incurved  Japanese,  with  broad  florets.  The  colour 
is  terra-cotta,  shaded  with  bronze,  lined  and  flushed  with  purple. 
Lady  Ridgway, — J  became  acquainted  with  this  several  years  since, 
having  received  it  from  the  raiser  in  the  Isle  of  Man.  It  also  belongs  to 
the  incurved  type.  The  florets  are  broad,  building  up  a  massive  flower, 
telling  well  on  an  exhibition  stand  when  in  good  condition.  The  colour 
is  somewhat  difficult  to  describe.  The  base  is  amber,  with  a  purple 
suffusion,  each  floret  tipped  with  gold  when  voung.  The  inside  of  the 
florets  terra-cotta. 
Madame  Philippe  Rieoire. — One  may  best  describe  this  as  a  much 
magnified  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie. 
Madame  G.  Rraanf.— Blush  white,  suffused  purple,  is  the  colour  of  this 
variety.  The  florets  are  of  medium  width,  irregularly  incurving.  A 
flower  was  depicted  on  page  411  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  for  October 
25th. 
Royal  Standard. — Perhaps  the  deepest  of  the  crimson  varieties.  The 
florets  are  broad  and  flat.  A  little  more  depth  would  make  this  one  of  the 
most  striking  varieties  in  cultivation. 
Werther. — This  is  an  improvement  on  Lady  Randolph  Churchill,  not 
only  in  colour,  but  in  size. 
George  Foster. — An  English-raised  seedling  of  the  incurved  Japanese 
type.  It  is  handsome,  though  the  florets  are  somewhat  irregular.  The 
colour  is  pure  yellow.  (See  illustration  in  issue  of  November  25th,  page 
507.) 
President  Nonin.  —The  colour  of  this,  apricot  yellow,  should  insure  it 
careful  attention.  The  florets  have  a  long  base,  while  the  points  widen 
out  and  incurve  loosely. 
Admiral  Ito. — Very  promising  is  this  pure  yellow  variety.  The  florets 
are  quite  erect,  fluted  and  twisted  at  the  point. 
Miss  Hunter  Little. — The  narrow  florets,  twisted  at  the  points,  of  this 
variety  forcibly  recall  Criterion.  The  rich  yellow  colour  is  pleasing. 
Lenaivee. — Although  granted  a  first-class  certificate  by  the  N.C.S. ,  this 
is,  in  my  opinion,  hardly  up  to  the  standard  in  point  of  quality.  The  type 
of  bloom  is  moderate.  An  exhibitor  would  style  this  variety  “too  thin.*’ 
The  florets  are  narrow,  incurving  loosely.  The  colour,  soft  pink  or  peach, 
is  pleasing. 
Mdlle.  Laurence  Zede.—T\na  is  a  closely  incurving  Japanese  with 
narrow  florets.  The  colour,  rosy  plum,  is  distinct. 
Surprise. — The  carmine  crimson  colour  of  the  flat  florets,  with  the 
dwarf  habit,  should  make  this  a  desirable  decorative  variety. 
Lovely.— Coming  from  America,  this  is  an  incurved  Japanese  variety 
of  the  palest  yellow.  The  flower  is  deep  and  good. 
Mrs.  F.  A.  Bevan.— The  colour  of  this  American  variety  is  flesh  pink. 
The  florets  are  of  medium  width,  curling  slightly  at  the  tip.  It  is  distinct 
and  good. 
Mrs.  G.  Carpenter.— In  formation  of  floret  this  resembles  Viviand 
Morel,  but  it  is  larger  in  all  respects.  The  colour,  rosy  mauve  with 
silver  reverse,  is  distinct. 
Master  H.  Tucker. — Young  blooms  of  this  incurve  roughly,  while  later 
ones  reflex.  In  the  latter  stage  it  is  perhaps  preferable,  as  the  colour  is 
more  striking.  The  inner  side  of  the  petals  is  rich  dark  red,  reverse 
bronze. 
Georgina  Pitcher. — This  desirable  variety  has  long,  drooping,  curling 
and  winding  florets,  lemon  in  colour. 
Mrs.  John  Ritson.  —Viviand  Morel  is  the  parent  of  this  variety.  The 
colour  is  ivory  white. 
Moor  Park, — A  seedling  from  E.  Molyneux,  raised  by  Mr.  Haggart, 
this  belongs  to  the  incurved  section  of  Japanese.  The  colour  is  golden 
bronze  on  the  reverse,  and  terra  cotta  on  the  inner  side. 
Madame  Louise  Remy. — A  pure  white  sport  from  Mrs,  C.  H.  Payne, 
and,  like  its  parent,  a  monster. 
The  following  varieties  I  noted  last  year  are  deserving  of  extended 
attention. 
Australian  Gold. — I  have  been  disappointed  with  this,  having  seen 
only  one  perfect  bloom.  It  was  indeed  charming,  fully  8  inches  in 
diameter,  and  6  inches  deep.  It  made  as  splendid  a  specimen  of  a 
Japanese  Chrysanthemum  as  anyone  could  wish  to  see.  The  florets  were 
semi-drooping,  while  the  colour  was  of  a  pleasing  rich  golden  yellow. 
Mrs.  H.  Weeks. — This  has  well  borne  out  the  high  opinion  previously 
formed  of  it.  It  builds  up  a  massive  bloom  of  the  finest  quality 
Mrs.  J.  Zeioas.— About  the  end  of  October  and  early  in  November  this 
has  produced  some  enormous  blooms.  It  is  one  of  the  best  of  white  flower¬ 
ing  varieties,  and  being  dwarf  in  growth  it  is  all  the  more  desirable. 
Australie. — The  colour  of  this  not  having  been  consistent,  the  variety 
has  been  somewhat  disappointing. 
Mrs.  C.  Rh’c^.— Instead  of  the  dull  white  it  possessed  last  year  in 
colour,  it  is  pure  white,  making  up  into  a  full  massive  bloom  admired  by 
all,  and  has  improved  on  acquaintance. 
Modesto. — Perhaps  the  stock  was  somewhat  weakened  by  propagation, 
but  certainly  this  has  not  maintained  its  promise.  Amongst  yellows  it  is 
pre-eminent. 
Amiral  Avellan. — Though  unique  in  colouring,  the  short  florets  of  this 
somewhat  detract  from  its  appearance.  It  was  largely  grown  judging 
from  the  number  of  blooms  met  with  at  the  shows. 
Lady  Hanham. — This  has  worthily  won  its  way  to  the  front.  The 
colour,  golden  rosy  cerise,  is  pleasing.  As  is  well  known,  it  is  a  sport 
from  Charles  Davis,  itself  a  sport  from  Viviand  Morel. 
James  Bidencope. — With  its  pleasing  colour  of  rich  rosy  amaranth 
with  silvery  reverse,  this  makes  itself  distinctly  seen  where  staged. 
— Edwin  Molyneux. 
(To  be  continued.) 
ROYAL  AQUARIUM  SHOW.— December  7th  and  8th. 
The  last  Show  of  the  year  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society 
was  held  on  the  above  dates.  Naturally  it  was  not  very  large,  but 
quality  made  up  for  quantity  throughout.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  was 
one  of  the  best  late  exhibitions  we  have  seen.  The  arrangements,  too, 
were  highly  creditable,  and  the  plan  of  turning  the  visitors  out  during 
the  judging  is  most  commendable,  and  should  be  adopted  permanently. 
There  were  four  entries  in  the  class  for  twenty-four  Japanese,  Mr. 
W.  Messenger,  gardener  to  C.  H,  Berners,  Esq.,  Woolverstone  Park, 
Ipswich,  taking  the  leading  position  with  a  capital  stand.  The  varieties 
