332 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  9,  1902. 
Unsettled  and  treacherous  weather  is  now  our  portion, 
and  it  is  not  wise  to  trust  good  plants  to  the  buffetting  of 
wind  and  rain,  and  the  probability  of  sharp  autumn  frosts. 
The  latter  may  not  harm  late  plants,  but  those  with  pro¬ 
minent  buds  are  more  susceptible  to  injury.  In  addition 
to  these  reasons  for  housing,  is  the  important  one  of 
advancing  the  buds  so  that  the  blooms  may  open  at  the  time 
expected  of  them,  whether  for  exhibition  or  other  purposes. 
Immediately  any  plants  show  colour  in  the  buds  it  is  dis¬ 
tinctly  injurious  to  the  buds  to  allow  the  plants  outdoors 
longer,  for  the  colder  nights  and  heavy  dews  cause  a  check 
which  may  not,  however,  be  evident  for  some  time. 
It  is  assumed  that  the  structure  in  which  the  plants  are 
placed  is  thoroughly  clean,  and  a  light  position  can  be 
accorded  them.  Before  taking  in  the  plants,  go  over  them, 
and  pick  off  any  decayed  leaves  ;  cut  out  any  weak  or  super¬ 
fluous  shoots,  rubbing  out  side  shoots  forming  or  extending 
in  the  axils  of  the  main  leaves.  Pull  out  weeds  on  the 
surface  of  soil  in  pots,  and  wash  the  latter  clean,  dealing 
with  the  under  surface  as  well  as  the  sides. 
Attention  next  must  be  given  the  foliage,  which  is  liable 
to  mildew  attacks,  especially  on  the  under  sides.  The 
remedy  for  mildew  consists  in  the  use  of  Veltha,  or  of  a 
mixture  of  flowers  of  sulphur  and  water.  Lay  each  plant  on 
its  side  in  some  convenient  place,  and  syringe  the  under 
sides  of  the  leaves  with  the  mixture.  A  large  mat  placed  on 
the  ground,  and  the  plant  laid  upon  it,  will  answer  well 
in  preventing  the  foliage  being  splashed  with  dirt.  Mildew 
is  a  fine,  white  deposition  on  the  leaves,  and  is  the  result 
of  the  growth  of  a  fungus.  If  a  good  deposition  of  fine 
sulphur  can  be  made  to  cover  it,  it  will  be  destroyed. 
A  light,  airy  house,  and  one  that  can  be  heated  if  necessary 
is  best  for  Chrysanthemums.  Many  growers,  however,  must 
utilise  the  sjoace  they  have  at  command.  It  is  not  advisable 
to  have  the  heads  of  the  plants  too  near  the  glass,  as  the 
extremes  of  heat  and  moisture  are  there  great.  This  may 
cause  injury  to  the  blooms  as  they  advance,  they  then  being 
very  susceptible  to  adverse  influences.  Plants  producing 
exhibition  blooms  may  have  their  heads  about  18in  or  2ft 
from  the  l'oof.  The  pots  should  not  stand  too  closely 
together.  It  is  better  that  air  and  light  should  reach  well 
among  them,  so  as  to  preserve  the  foliage  until  the  last. 
Groups  of  plants  to  give  decorative  display  may  stand 
more  closely,  but  they  are  no  worse  for  extra  space  if  it  can 
be  afforded.  Specimen  plants  must  stand  singly.  In 
arranging  a  group  with  a  background,  place  the  tallest  plants 
in  the  rear,  gradually  sloping  towards  the  front,  where  the 
dwarfest  must  be  placed.  The  shape  of  such  a  group  may  be 
oblong,  square,  or  semicircular.  Such  groups  are  best  con¬ 
structed  when  the  plants  come  into  bloom,  as  a  tasteful 
combination  can  be  formed  with  the  help  of  other  plants — 
Ferns  and  foliage  plants.  For  a  time,  after  first  housing,  it 
will  be  noticed  that  there  is  no  progress,  and  the  wants  of 
the  plants  are  few.  Plenty  of  ventilation  is  essential. 
Feeding  may  continue  with  all  the  plants  from  the  time 
the  buds  show  until  the  blooms  are  well  advanced,  when  it 
should  cease,  clear  water  only  being  given.  Disbudding  is 
another  item  which  requires  attention,  especially  from  the 
later  plants  and  those  producing  the  flowers  on  terminal 
shoots.  Remove  dead  foliage  from  stems  as  necessary,  and 
also  take  the  opportunity  of  affording  more  space  by 
removing  any  plants  as  they  get  past  their  best.— E.  D. 
The  Collection  at  Draycot  House,  Chippenham 
The  present  is  a  time  of  much  speculation  as  to  the 
coming  prospects  among  Chrysanthemum  growers,  and 
especially  by  those  who  number  among  the  large  body  of 
exhibitors.  The  name  of  Bible  has  been  a  familiar  one 
among  successful  exhibitors  for  a  long  time,  not  only  since 
he  has  held  his  present  important  charge,  but  at  an  earlier 
period.  Draycot  Gardens  has  during  the  past  two  decades 
possessed  reputations  of  a  varied  order,  but  in  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  fame  it  has  only  taken  up  its  new  role  since 
Mr.  Bible  has  taken  over  the  cares  of  its  destiny.  A  recent 
visit  paid  revealed  one  eloquent  fact,  namely,  that  he  is  an 
extreme  enthusiast,  endowed  with  wonderful  energy,  and 
possessing  a  memory  much  to  be  envied.  With  all  these 
high  attributes  it  is  only  to  be  expected  that  not  only 
Chrysanthemums  are  in  good  hands,  but  that  other  sections 
of  the  garden  and  its  crops  are  similarly  well  done  and  cared 
for.  The  kitchen  gardens,  lawns,  woodland  walks,  her¬ 
baceous  borders,  and  glass  departments  are  all  severally 
bearing  the  mark  of  a  generous  employer — which  the  Prince 
Hatzfeldt  undoubtedly  is — and  a  gardener  worthy  of  his 
name  and  calling. 
For  the  production  of  large  flowers  some  eleven  hundred 
plants  are  grown,  and  among  these  many  of  the  better 
novelties  of  the  year  may  be  found.  Mr.  Bible  is  enabled  to 
grow  sufficient  of  the  newer  ones  to  prove  for  himself  their 
true  merits,  the  time  of  stopping,  and  the  best  buds  for 
producing  large  and  well  coloured  flowers.  He  places,  and 
rightly,  too,  a  large  value  on  depth  of  colour,  apart  from 
mere  size  in  his  blooms,  and  as  the  shows  calling  for  his 
patronage  extend  over  a  somewhat  wide  period,  he  neces¬ 
sarily  has  to  treat  his  plants  with  these  objects  and  dates 
well  in  view.  Thus,  while  some  were  at  the  time  of  my  visit 
fast  developing  their  buds,  others  were  outdoors  peacefully 
awaiting  their  turn.  They  are  drafted  inside  in  batches  as 
their  purpose  instruct.  Japanese  and  incurved  sections  only 
are  grown,  and  though  in  numbers  the  former  preponderate, 
tne  last-named  are,  if  anything,  the  greater  favourites,  and 
they  embrace  a  wide  range  of  variety  old  and  new. 
The  fruit  houses  at  Draycot,  some  of  which  are  of  modern 
times,  are  very  well  adapted  to  the  flowering  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  and  for  the  present  they  are  allowed  to  enjoy 
all  available  light  without  shade  or  other  roof  obstruction. 
The  forward  buds  display  wonderful  vigour  and  colour,  and 
their  future  promises  well. 
Among  novelties  of  the  season  may  be  mentioned  Mrs. 
Thomas  Pockett,  Mrs.  H.  Emmerson,  and  General  Hutton,  of 
Australian  origin,  and  the  complete  set  sent  out  by  Mr. 
Godfrey,  all  of  which  display  great  vigour  of  stem  and  leaf, 
and  which  is  expected  will  be  a  distinct  gain  in  bright 
colours.  Older  varieties  are  legion,  but  among  them  Ernest 
Bettisworth.  W.  R.  Church,  J.  J.  Thornevcroft,  Mafeking 
Hero,  E.  Molyneux  (good),  Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  Kimberley, 
Madame  Carnot,  Mrs.  Mease,  G.  J.  Warren,  The  Princess, 
Loveliness,  Lily  Mountford,  Nellie  Pockett,  W.  R.  Barrett, 
Mons.  L.  Remy,  Calvat’s  Sun,  Sir  George  White,  Mrs. 
Barkley  (extra  fine),  Miss  Elsie  Fulton,  Mrs.  Coombes 
(good),  H.  J.  Jones,  and  J.  R.  Upton. 
The  newer  incurved  number  among  them  Mrs,  F.  Judson, 
Mrs.  C.  Crooks,  William  Higgs,  Mrs.  Neville,  and  George 
Hunt;  others,  such  as  Duchess  of  Fife,  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones, 
Mrs.  Murray.  Globe  d’Or,  the  Princess  of  Wales  family, 
Dome  d’Or,  Ada  Owen,  Baron  Hirsch  (deep  coloured),  The 
Colonel,  Rose  Owen,  Mrs.  R.  C.  Kingston,  C.  H.  Curtis,  and 
Queen  of  England  are  excellent  in  every  respect. 
Disease  is  not  absent,  though  its  presence  does  not  give 
cause  for  much  alarm,  for  the  rust  spots  are  not  yet 
abundant,  and,  as  in  other  years,  it  is  only  certain  kinds  that 
seem  liable  to  its  attack.  As  might  be  expected,  efforts  have 
not  been  wanting  for  its  suppression  ;  a  prescription  of  Mr. 
Bible’s  own  has  been  brought  to  bear  upon  them  with  the 
aid  of  the  syringe  for  some  time  past.  Mystery  still  hangs 
about  the  disease  despite  the  fact  that  anti-rusts  and  other 
fungus-destroying  remedies  are  claimed  to  do  all  that  is 
needed. 
Though  the  season  has  been  such  a  sunless  one,  maturity 
of  the  Chrysanthemum  does  not  appear  to  be  an  absent 
quality,  the  stems  displaying  the  pleasant  brown  tint,  leaves 
leathery,  and  the  buds  swelling  up  with  a  freedom  that  gives 
occasion  for  genuine  hope.  Despite  the  multitudinous 
duties,  and  the  vast  area  that  has  to  be  traversed  over  park¬ 
land  and  garden  Mr.  Bible  finds  time  to  attend  personally 
to  every  detail  of  his  Chrysanthemums.— S.  Trowbridge. 
