December  16,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
581 
experience  in  connection  with  shows  as  an  exhibitor,  as  a  judge,  and  as 
an  active  working  member  of  committees,  his  energy  and  business 
aptitude  having  rendered  his  help  valuable  in  many  ways. 
It  cannot  be  possible  that  the  officials  are  unaware  of  the  incon¬ 
veniences  attending  the  shows  at  the  Aquarium,  nor  can  they  be  ignorant 
of  the  strong  feeling  there  is  throughout  the  country  against  holding 
exhibitions  under  such  circumstances.  It  is  notorious  that  some  of  the 
finest  collections  of  cut  blooms  and  plants  ever  brought  together  for  com¬ 
petition  in  Great  Britain  have  been  practically  ruined  as  exhibits  by 
the  inadequate  space  for  arrangement.  Visitors  who  appreciate  the 
excellent  work  done  by  the  Society,  and  who  recognise  that  the  N.C.S. 
officials  do  their  utmost  to  make  the  best  of  such  opportunities  as  they 
have  at  their  disposal,  cannot  fail  to  be  distressed  at  the  results  when 
they  visit  the  Aquarium  shows  in  the  afternoon  or  evening. 
How  the  Committee  and  members  have  endured  the  alliance  under 
such  conditions  so  long  it  is  difficult  to  understand,  and  how  a  Society 
which  takes  the  title  of  National  can  be  content  with  .sUch  a  policy  of 
nervous  dependence  upon  another  institution  is  quite  beyond  general 
comprehension. 
The  great  argument  against  a  change  is,  that  besides  the  contribution 
to  the  prize  fund,  whicti  would  be  lost,  the  N.C.S.  takes  no  risk.  If  the 
weather  prove  unfavourable  and  the  attendance  be  small,  the  Aquarium 
Company  are  the  losers  and  not  the  Society.  But  it  is  obvious  there  is 
another  side  to  this  argument,  for  what  becomes  of  the  profit  when  the 
visitors  crowd  every  portion  of  the  building,  as  they  do  at  all  the 
November  shows  ?  I  have  never  seen  the  Aquarium  so  crowded,  except 
at  holiday  times,  as  it  is  on  the  occasion  of  the  N.C.S.  principal  exhi¬ 
bitions,  and  it  is  certain  that  it  must  give  substantial  results,  or  a  body  of 
business  men  would  not  contribute  £200  or  £300  for  the  sake  merely  of 
encouraging  the  cultivation  of  the  Chrysanthemum.  Probably  they  do 
not  gain  over  the  October  or  December  shows,  but  they  make  it  up  in 
November,  or  they  would  not  have  continued  the  arrangement  so  long. 
The  fact  is  the  Aquarium  Company  manage  to  secure  a  very  important 
addition  to  their  attractions  at  much  less  outlay  than  many  which  they 
provide,  and  with  not  half  the  risk  or  trouble.  Surely,  however,  the 
N.C.S.  was  not  founded  for  aiding  in  the  support  of  an  instilut  on  of  this 
kind,  and  the  profits  derived  from  the  immense  amount  of  work  performed 
liy  the  members  in  producing  such  large  numl)ers  of  excellent  productions 
for  exhibitions,  should  be  applied  entirely  to  the  cause  of  the  Chrys¬ 
anthemum. 
With  the  reputation  the  N.C.S.  now  has  it  could  hold  a  show  any¬ 
where  in  the  London  district  and  insure  a  large  attendance.  If  a 
permanent  home  could  not  be  secured,  why  could  not  the  shows  be  held 
in  different  metropolitan  centres  every  year?  It  would  be  quite  possible 
to  find  ample  accommodation  in  different  directions  if  it  were  really 
desired  to  do  so,  and  many  believe  that  the  Society  would  receive  more 
substantial  support  than  it  does  now  if  such  an  independent  and  self- 
I’eliant  policy  were  adopted.  Unquestionably  it  would  redound  more  to 
the  credit  of  a  society  which  has  grown  to  be  an  horticultural  power 
second  to  none  devoted  to  a  special  object.  The  strength  possessed  in  its 
long  roll  of  membership,  and  its  prestige,  render  it  all  the  more  pitiable 
that  the  Committee  should  rely  so  weakly  upon  an  institution  absolutely 
foreign  to  the  purpose  and  intent  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
-Ex-Official. 
I  SHOULD  not  have  taken  any  farther  part  in  the  discussion  which  has 
arisen  in  your  columns  with  respect  to  ‘the  N.C.S.  shows  at  the  West¬ 
minster  Aquarium  but  for  the  receipt  of  an  ordinary  letter  from  a  well- 
known  gardener  at  Heading,  who,  at  the  close  of  his  communication, 
referring  to  the  November  show,  said  “  the  crush  was  worse  than  ever, 
and  there  was  no  chance  whatever  of  seeing  the  principal  exhibits  after 
the  morning,  except  in  St.  Stephen’s  Hall,  which  is  a  fine  room  if  only 
it  was  better  lighted.  Still  few  people  seemed  to  find  it.  There  being  a 
cheap  trip  to  London  from  here  on  the  10th,  five  of  my  men  went  up  to 
see  the  show,  but  they  all  next  day  complained  of  being  unable  to  see 
anything  because  of  the  crowd  and  the  place  was  so  full  of  smoke.  It  is 
really  disgraceful  that  smoking  should  be  allowed  at  all.” 
This  is  the  testimony  of  no  partisan  or  purist,  but  of  a  plain,  practical 
gardener,  and  it  is  that  of  thousands  of  others  who  are  not  members  of 
the  executive  or  do  not  hold  briefs  for  the  place.  That  six  persons  from 
one  garden  only  should  have  come  over  thirty  miles  to  London  expressly 
to  see  the  show  illustrates  the  undoubted  fact  that  by  far  the  greater 
portion  of  those  who  attended  the  show  go  expressly  to  see  the  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  not  the  variety  performances.  Is  it  probable  that  they 
would  go  from  an  area  of  certainly  fifty  miles  round  London  to  hear  a 
woman  squeal  through  her  nose,  or  see  a  man  make  an  ass  of  himself,  or 
the  shouting  and  hullaballoo  that  makes  the  whole  place  so  hard  for  a 
flower  lover  to  endure  ?  No  one  seems  to  think  how  many  thousands  of 
people  keep  away  from  the  show  which  they  cannot  see  and  enjoy.  Why 
is  not  that  fine  St.  Stephen’s  Hall  fully  utilised  for  the  purpose  1  Is  it 
because  it  keeps  the  visitors  too  far  awav  from  the  reserved  seats  ? 
—A.  D. 
P.S. — Since  writing  the  above  I  have  read  Mr.  Moorman's  letter  to 
you.  It  is  one  of  those  documents  that  is  at  once  convincing  and 
unanswerable.  It  is  specially  satisfactory  to  obtain  such  information 
from  one  who  is  thus  behind  the  scenes.  Still  farther  does  it  show  how 
strong  is  the  objection  to  the  R.A.  as  a  place  for  the  Society  s  shows, 
entertained  by  many  members  of  the  executive.  The  side  lights  thus 
thrown  on  the  subject  at  issue  are  invaluable.  I  have  often  wondered 
why  a  Society  calling  itself  “  National  ”  should  not  include  in  its 
executive  any  of  those  gentlemen  who  in  various  parts  of  the  kingdom 
have  shown  deep  interest  in  the  cultivation  of  the  Chrysanthemum.  Is 
their  absence  due  to  the  distance  from  the  place  of  show  ?  Very  likely 
officials  may  feel  in  a  friendly  way  bound  to  the  R.A,  but  the  N.C.S. 
does  not  exist,  neither  was  it  originated,  to  exploit  a  glorified  music  hall. 
—A.  D. 
I  THINK  responsible  officials  of  the  N.C.S.  are  very  short-sighted 
in  sticking  to  the  Aquarium.  They  might  have  a  distinguished, 
fashionable,  and  wealthy  list  of  members  and  larger  funds  if  a  more 
suitable  building  could  be  found.  I  sent  tickets  to  some  friends  this 
year.  They  met  me  at  the  Aquarium,  and  I  was  really  ashamed  to 
introduce  them  into  such  an  atmosphere  of  smoke.  I  am  a  smoker 
myself,  and  would  not  be  thin-skinned  about  allowing  it  in  reason,  even 
at  a  show,  but  I  do  not  see  how  it  can  be  avoided  in  volume  at  the 
Aquarium.  It  is  objectionable  to  many,  and  prevents  many  from  going, 
especially  ladies.  I  am  very  sorry  it  is  so,  and  not  to  observe  any  signs 
of  improvement,  but  the  reverse.  More  and  better  space  was  formerly 
placed  at  the  Society’s  disposal,  and  the  shows  were  decidedly  better  dis¬ 
played  and  certainly  more  enjoyed  than  they  are  now.  Such  crushing, 
pushing,  and  huddling  cannot,  I  think,  continue  without  prejudice  to  the 
Society.  -  A  Member  of  the  N.C.S. 
N.C.S.  Floral  Committee. 
The  last  meeting  for  the  present  season  of  the  Floral  Committee  was 
held  on  JMonday,  the  13th  inst.,  Mr.  Thomas  Bevan  in  the  chair.  On 
this  occasion  there  was  not  a  single  exhibit  of  Chrysanthemums,  this 
experience  being  almost  unique  in  the  history  of  the  Society.  A  flower¬ 
pot  was  submitted  for  adjudication,  having  a  narrow  and  shallow  channel 
running  round  the  rim  of  it.  The  object  of  the  channel  is  to  prevent 
earwigs  from  getting  on  the  plants.  However,  this  was  generally  con¬ 
sidered  quite  inadequate  for  the  purpose,  as  during  very  hot  weather  the 
channel  would  have  to  be  filled  repeatedly,  and  also  was  loo  small  for  the 
purpose. 
A  resolution  was  moved  altering  the  number  of  blooms  to  be  sub¬ 
mitted  of  any  new  variety  to  two  only,  instead  of  three  as  formerly.  This 
was,  however,  lost.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  rhairman  for  his  services 
during  the  past  season  was  unanimously  carried. 
In  the  evening  the  Floral  Committee  dined  together  as  the  guests  of 
the  General  Committee  at  the  Royal  Aquarium  Tavern,  under  the 
presidency  of  the  Secretary,  Mr.  R.  Dean.  A  goodly  number  were 
present,  and  an  enjoyable  evening  spent. 
Popular  Varieties  of  Chrysanthemums. 
A  table  showing  the  number  of  times  certain  varieties  were  exhibited 
at  eighteen  of  the  principal  shows  may  be  of  interest  and  utility  to 
many  readers,  as  now  is  the  time  to  purchase  anything  new  to  lay  the 
foundation  for  a  successful  flowering  season.  There  have  been  no  less 
than  110  varieties  exhibited.  The  table  has  been  taken  from  the  winning 
stands  of  twenty -four  .Japanese,  and  duplicate  blooms  are  counted  as  one. 
No.  of  times 
shown. 
17  Phcebus 
15  Viviand  Morel 
15  Mons.  Chenon  de  Leche 
13  Edith  Tabor 
12  Madame  Carnot 
12  Australie 
1 1  Charles  Davis 
10  Australian  Gold 
10  Simplicity 
8  Etoile  de  Lyon 
7  Mrs.  J.  Lewis 
7  International 
7  Mrs.  C.  H.  Payne 
6  Pride  of  Exmouth 
6  Modesto 
6  Mutual  Friend 
5  Edwin  Molyneux 
o  M.  M.  Ricoud 
5  Mrs.  W.  H.  Lees 
5  Mrs.  C.  Blick 
5  Mons.  Panckoucke 
5  Eva  Knowles 
5  Therese  Key 
5  Duke  of  York 
5  Thomas  'Wilkins 
4  G.  C.  Schwabe 
4  Lady  Hanhara 
4  Elsie  Teichmann 
4  Lady  Ridgway 
4  Mons.  C.  Molin 
4  Oceana 
No.  of  times 
shown. 
4  Mad.  Gustave  Henri 
4  Jno.  Seward 
4  Pride  of  Madford 
4  A.  H.  Wood 
3  Mrs.  H.  Weeks 
3  'Van  den  Heede 
3  Iliad.  Ad.  Chatin 
3  A.  G.  Hubbuck 
3  Hairy  Wonder 
3  Primrose  League 
3  Graphic 
3  Viscountess  Hambleden 
3  Miss  Rita  Schroeter 
2  Baron  Ad.  de  Rothschild' 
2  Mrs.  G.  Carpenter 
2  Mdlle.  M.  A .  de  Galbert 
2  Col.  W.  B.  Smith 
2  Mrs.  G.  W.  Palmer 
2  President  Borel 
2  Mons.  Hoste 
2  James  Bidencope 
2  Bellem 
2  Silver  King 
2  Miss  D.  Shea 
2  Eeine  d’Angleterre 
2  Mons.  Georges  Biron 
2  Amiral  Avellan 
2  Mdlle.  Marie  Hoste 
2  Lady  Byron 
2  Dorothy  Seward 
2  Commandant  Blnsset 
The  following  varieties  were  shown  once: — G.  J.  Warren,  Julia  Scara-- 
manga,  Mons.  Bernard,  M.  de  la  Rocheterie,  J.  Seward,  Richard  Dean, 
Mrs.  Dr.  Ward,  C.  W.  Richardson,  Lady  Dorothy,  Prefet  Robert,  W.  Fyfe,. 
La  Colosse  Grenobloise,  Mons.  Gruyer,  M.  Demay  Taillandier,  Mfs.  H. 
Kloss,  Mrs.  E.  Tate,  General  Roberts,  L’Isere,  Madame  Rozain,  Mrs.  C.. 
Orchard,  M.  Gerard,  Elthorne  Beauty,  Queen  of  Buffs,  Jno.  Shrimpton, 
Beauty  of  Teignmouth,  W.  G.  Newitt,  Violetta,  Robert  Owen,  Mons.  Ed. 
Andre,  H.  H.  Spencer,  Madame  Ad.  Moulin,  A.  H.  Fewkes,  Rose  Wynne, 
lalene,  Snowdon,  Deuil  de  Jules  Ferry,  Sunstone,  Duchess  of  York,  Mrs. 
F.  A.  Bevan,  Waban,  Golden  Gate,  Duchess  of  'Wellington,  Florence  Davis,. 
Stanstead  White,  Wm.  Seward,  Eda  Brass,  Louise,  and  Mephisto. 
— A.  E.  Raisbeck,  The  Gardens,  Benton  Hall,  Newcastle-on- Tyne, 
