February  9,  IS  99. 
JOUENAL  OF  HORriGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
100 
occasion  for  forebodings  on  the  part  of  growers  for  exhibition  ;  the  Shows 
of  the  Society  were  well  maintained,  the  competitors  were  numerous,  and 
tho  blooms  if  lacking  the  fine  finish  seen  in  previous  years  were  yet  ot  a 
high  order  of  merit.  In  all  the  departments  of  the  November  exhibition 
the  classes  vi’ere  well  filled,  while  the  special  prizes  offered  by  various 
firms  for  vegetables,  both  at  the  October  and  November  shows,  brought 
excellent  collections.  All  the  exhibitions  of  the  Society  have  been  well 
attended,  testimony  being  thus  borne  to  the  continued  popularity  of  the 
“  Golden  Flower.” 
Your  Committee  are  gratified  in  noticing  evidences  of  a  revival  of 
interest  in  the  incurved  tyjie,  which  is  shown  by  the  large  number  of  new 
varieties  introduced  during  the  past  few  years,  and  particularly  so  during  the 
year  just  closed.  These  new  introductions,  some  of  them  apparently  of 
cross  parentage,  have  been  vigilantly  examined  by  the  Classification 
Committee  ;  and  those  showing  decided  evidence  of  possessing  character¬ 
istics  of  the  approved  incurved  type  admitted  to  that  section.  Some  of 
doubtful  character  are  reserved  for  another  season’s  experience. 
afforded  the  members  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  in 
obtaining  refreshments  at  moderate  charges. 
Acting  upon  an  instruction  passed  at  the  last  annual  meeting  of  mem¬ 
bers,  a  special  Sub-Committee  was  appointed  to  visit  halls  and  other 
places  in  London,  and  its  suburbs,  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  what 
conveniences  could  he  offered  for  holding  the  exhibitions  of  the  Society 
elsewhere  than  at  the  Koyal  Aquarium,  and  upon  what  terms.  This 
Committee  spent  considerable  lime  in  visiting  buildings,  and  made  a 
searching  investigation  as  to  the  facilities  they  afforded,  with  the  result 
that  they  recommended  the  Executive  Committee  to  transfer  their  shows 
to  the  Crystal  Palace,  Sydenham.  Your  Committee,  while  fully  sensible 
of  the  advantages  of  greater  space  and  clearer  light  afforded  by  day  at 
the  Crystal  Palace,  yet  thought  it  expedient  to  retain  their  exhibitions 
at  the  Aquarium  in  1899,  especially  as  they  had  the  prospect  of  increased 
monetary  assistance  from  the  directors. 
large  numbers  of  new  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums  have  been  sub¬ 
mitted  for  examination  at  the  meetings  of  the  Floral  Committee,  and 
i  -  _ 
-A- 
1  t.- 
1 
i  ■' 
f  V  i  5  • 
-  t  '•  - 
Fig.  23. — BIEL  HOUSE.  (Nee  prtrje  107). 
Your  Committee,  fully  alive  to  the  fact  that  some  of  the  newer  intro¬ 
ductions  of  the  incurved  section  so  nearly  approach  the  older  varieties  in 
character  as  to  render  it  difficult  at  times  to  determine  their  difference, 
instructed  the  Classification  Committee  to  draw  up  a  list  of  too-much-alike 
varieties,  which  was  published  in  the  schedules  of  prizes  for  1898,  and 
made  obligatory  upon  exhibitors  at  the  Society’s  shows.  Finding  that 
some  affiliated  societies  felt  themselves  bound  to  act  under  this  list,  while 
some  held  they  were  at  liberty  to  adopt  it  or  otherwise,  your  Committee 
have  had  the  list  of  too-much-alike  varieties,  together  with  a  li.-t  of  the 
incurved, classified  during  the  past  three  years,  put  in  the  form  of  a  special 
circular,  which  i.s  to  be  sent  to  affiliated  societies.  In  this  circular  they 
are  urged  to  adopt  the  list  and  publish  it  in  their  schedules  of  prizes  as 
binding  upon  their  exhibitors.  The  adoption  is  optional,  but  it  is  believed 
many  societies  will  decide  to  come  under  the  operation  of  the  list  of  too- 
much-ulike  varieties. 
Your  Committee  have  to  report  that  they  have  entered  into  an  engage¬ 
ment  with  the  directors  of  the  Koyal  Aquarium  to  hold  their  exhibiiioos 
in  that  building  during  the  present  year  ;  the  directors  undertaking  to 
give  an  additional  sum  of  £75  towards  the  prize  schedule  ot  the  November 
show.  They  have  materially  improved  the  lighting  of  the  buildir.ir,  and 
successfully  brought  their  influence  to  bear  upon  the  new  r<  frcslnnent 
contractors,  with  the  result  that  better  facilities  w.ll  in  the  luture  be 
their  qualific.ations  for  certificates  of  merit  fully  and  impartially  ron- 
udered.  The  record  of  awards  is  a.  numerous  one,  despite  tlie  utmost 
vigilance  on  the  part  of  tho  Committee.  It  has  been  found  advisable  to 
change  the  day  of  meeting  on  other  than  show  days  from  Monday  till 
IVednesdaj',  excepting  tho  meeting  in  the  second  week  of  November, 
which  will  bn  lichl  on  Monday  tho  13tb. 
The  publication  of  a  supplemental  catalogue  is  becoming  a  necessity, 
as  new  varieties  are  Ireciueniiy  produced.  This  mutter  will  be  lully  con¬ 
sidered  by  yonr  Clominittee  at  an  enrlv  meeting. 
A  coiilerenee  on  the  Chrysanthi mum  rust — a  fungoid  growth  which 
proved  very  trouhlcsome  to  many  growers  last  season — was  held  in  tlm 
I8t.  Stephen’s  Hall  of  the  Koyal  Aquarium  on  October  I2th,  and  proved 
an  exceeding^-  interesting  function,  and  the  attendance  of  members  was 
large.  Bapers  from  the  cultivators'  point  of  view  were  read  by  iMes-r.s. 
P.  Vatcrer  and  W.  Wells,  and  one  on  the  scientific  aspects  of  the  rust  liy 
:Mr.  George  Massce.  of  the  Koyal  Garden.^,  Kew.  The  gathering  liad 
its  advantageous  social  aspect  also  :  tho  bringing  together  ot  the  members 
of  the  Society  on  such  occasions  i.s  a  decided  advantage.  'J  he  papers, 
together  with  the  discussion  which  followed,  wall  be  given  in  the  aniuiul 
report.  &e,  in  course  of  preparation.  The  Committee  are  under  a  debt 
of  obligation  to  tlie  dircetors  of  the  Koyal  Aquarium  for  the  use  ct' 
St.  St' idien's  for  ti.e  purposes  of  the  eor.'eiencc. 
