HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8489, 22 May 1893, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —The recent show of chrysanthemums is a reminder that it is now twentyone years since an attempt was made to hold a special show for this flower. At that time a few enthusiasts in floral matters arranged to hold a show. There were no money prizes offered, as there were no funds available for that purpose. The awards were given in the usual manner, and reported m the newspapers next day. This show was held on the evening of May 7th, 1872: a small room at Coker's Hotel sufficed for this first exhibition. Those who remember the best of varieties of these flowers at that period in cultivation can scarcely believe that the chrysanthemum of to-day is the same plant. We have now most' lovely in forms, both eccentric and regular m outline.* xlTie monstrous' size of the blooms are object lessons to the most experienced horticultui ist. A moment's reflection will convince of the possibilities of some other classes of plants, by way of their being made m-re useful or productive, although is may take many years to effect any improvement in them. It may be observed that the American growers despise our methods of showing blooms in stands. They show blooms with their shoots cut 15in to 18iu in length with their leaves in bottles like hyacinth glassee, these being surrounded by small maidenhair ferns in pots. Exhibits of this kind are considered more artistic than the English methods.

Allow mc to direct attention to the want of a more gratetul and generous spirit of recognition at our shows of those who endeavour to help the Society on show days, who, by sending one or more cartloads of exhibits on those occasions, receive tmS poor reward of v.h.c, h.c. or c, according to the fancy of the judges. At Home medals are awarded of various values. Here we might have nice cards as awards of merit, on which could be written a description of the exhibit and name of exhibitor.—Yours, &c, John Dcttox, Springfield rpad. May 18th, 1893.