of America, of which Mr. Elijah A. Wood, of West Newton, Mass., is the president; Mr. E. J. Hill, of Richmond, Va., is the vice-president; Mr. John N. May, of Summit, N. J., is the treasurer; and Mr. Elmer D. Smith, of Adrian, Mich., is the secretary. This society was organized at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1889. The principal aims of the society are to supervise the dissemination of new varieties of chrysanthemums, and prevent, as far as possible, the introduction of poor and worthless varieties to commerce, to ensure correct nomenclature, and to encourage better methods of color. In 1894 committees composed of three members each were appointed by the society in or near Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Cincinnati, to be in session in these cities each Saturday during October and November to judge new varieties submitted to them. These committees are still in force. By a recent arrangement, a silver cup, to be known as the Chrysanthemum Society of America Cup, will be awarded annually to the best six chrysanthemums in six varieties (thirty-six blooms); to be competed for at various cities when the regular exhibitions are held in that city each year. in form. Then there are the Pompons. These are the round, button-like chrysanthemums, which absolutely cover the To classify the innumerable varieties bush with bloom. The single chrysanof the chrysanthemum is anything but themums have flat yellow centres, and an easy task, but there are certain gen- greatly resemble daisies or asters. In eral classifications which serve as a the Chinese Incurved the petals curl up guide. These are, briefly: the Anem- over the centre, and the flower presents ones, which have broad petals and a the most regular globular appearance, centre composed of quills of the same while in the Chinese Reflexed, the petals hue. They are often curiously fantastic curl outward and in toward the stem. The Chinese flowers are the acme of neat regularity, and present the widest difference to the Japanese blossoms, which seem to delight in weird, fantastic, sprawling shapes. These blossoms of old Japan positively defy classification, but they are unquestionably the most beautiful of all the varieties. The most famous chrysanthemum which ever made its début in the chrysanthemum show was Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, a beautiful Japanese variety, which owed its distinction to the fact that it was covered with delicate "hairs," the first of the hairy varieties to make its appearance. It was presented to the lady whose name it bears by a young Japanese missionary, whom she educated at her expense, and who testified his appreciation of her generosity by sending her this rare blossom on his return to his native land. Among the beautiful new chrysanthemums which have made their "bow to the world's low footlights and have caught the wreath that was flung" this season is Mizpah, a dainty dwarf variety, which is a very free bloomer, and whose blossoms are of a bright rose-color. Midge and Merula are also excellent dwarf varieties. dwarf varieties. A superbly handsome yellow chrysanthemum is Mrs. John D. Glessner, while Lunstone is a brilliant novelty in three shades-straw-color, yellow, and red. Two beautiful white chrysanthemums are Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson, which won a $50 prize as a seedling, and Western King, an incurved flower, with the outer petal slightly reflexed. Evangeline is also a magnificent white blossom. These are but a few of a long list of exquisite new varieties; while as for standard old varieties their name is legion. It looks now as if the reign of the Queen of Autumn would be as undisputed as that of the lily or the rose. |