EXHIBITION CHRYSANTHE MUMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 8

EXHIBITION CHRYSANTHE MUMS.

By J. Gjsbbie, Jun.

As thß chrysanthemum season is now over, [t might interest intending cultivators to know a few of the best exhibition varieties of the Japanese section, so I will give the names of 24 varieties of the best that came under my notice at the last exhibition in Dunedin and elsewhere w — Vivian Morel, Lord Brooke, Mrs Bruce Fiadlay, Theresa Rey, pride of Madford, Eda Prasp, Madame Ad. Chatin, Charles Divip, G W Ohilde, Vicountess Hambleden, Rone Wjuw}, iniernational. Misa Dorothea Shea, Duks of York, Edwin Molyneux, Mrs 0. Harfnan Payne, Mrs B. D. Adams, 001. W. B. Smith, L'lsere, W. H. Lincoln, Miss M. BleckiroD, Nivens, Florence Davies, and G: 0. Schwabe. For colour and diversity of form the above are all that can be desired, In this respect hardly two varieties being alike. To obtain' exhibition blooms tboi reaoire

the best of cultivation, and as soon as the flower buds appear they must be reduced to one on each ahoot and grown vary strong, all Bide growth being cut away, otherwise they will possess little or no beauty. When well grown they always excite the cariosity and admiration of everyone who sees them. Plants should be obtained as early ia the spring as possible, and grown in a light, airy position, never allowing them to suffer for want of water. Strong growth and wall ripened wood with plenty of foliage is indispensable to secure fine blooms. ME FORSY.TH'3 EXH'BITtON. During the past week I paid a visit to the nursery of Mr Adam Foraytb, of this town, to inspect hia collection of chrysanthemums. As a chrysanthemum grower Mr Forsybh has a world-wide reputation, he being the first cultivator who brought this noble autumn flower into notoriety by his public exhibition of bloom at Stoke, Newhigton, many years ago. In an old horticultural periodical'l oame across a few days ago his show of pot plants was described as one of the sights of London. The impetus given to their cultivation then has gone on, and the chrysanthemum has now become one of the moßt popular flowers grown. Mr Forsyth believes more ia selection than collection.", and he cultivates only the cream of exhibition varieties. I was sorry that my visit "waa not made earlier in the season, »s many of the best varieties were past; however, those I was fortunate enough to see were very fine, among them being Vivian Mo el, a very krge flower of a pale rosy pink colour, shediog to white. This was one of the best at the Duuedin show. Cbarles Ddvis.—Ths eolom of this yellow aud bronze; a magnificent flower of large size. Miss Dorothy She», large flowers of good form ; colour, terra cotta at,d buff. W. Tricker, a flae variety; of a delicate rose colour. Edwin Molyneux, chtstnut criauon ; beautiful. Mrs H. Cann^ll, pure white. Q. C. Scbw-ibe, bright carmine ro*e : points cf the fl 'l'tts tipred with gold ; beautiful. W. H. Lincoln, a very large flo«ver; colour bright yellow. W. Seward, blackish crimson; the fibwers very large and handsome. Mr 11. Camiell,' rich golden yellow; and the curious hairy v.iriefy Louis Bjehmer. The foregoing are all of the Japanese section, which at tha present time U the most popular, The incurved varieties are also well represented, but as they are not in such favour as the Japanese, they do not come in for the same amount of attention. Other typds cultivated by JVfr Forsyth are the anemone-flowered, a beautiful and distinct class, having three or fonr rows of outer petals, and a centre formed of small tubular florets of a different colour, whioh gives the flower a charming appearance ; the Pompones,. of which there are a good variety, having small blooms, and being neat and compact, in flower, foliage, and habit of growth, and consequently very useful for cut flowers. Public Garden?, Oamarn, June 8.