The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-12
CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
A FLOWER THAT HAS BECOME
ALL THE RAGE IN AMERICA
Its Possibilities and Endless Varie
ties-Methods Of Its Cultivation
and Propagation-Antiq
uity Of Its Culture.

The culture of the chrysanthemum,
says the New York Commercial -Adoar-
tiser, has reached point in this country
from which it seems as if it could not
recede, as it has done in the past. Eight
years ago, says an authority on the sub
iect, there were sold in this country not
more than 5000 plants. This year it is
estimated that not less than 1000, O00
plants have been grown by florists and
sold.
The general impression was that this
flower was pretty object for borders in
the fall of the year, that it needed but
little care and attention and would pro-
duce an abundant bloom CT pleasing
color when nature was about to don its
more severe and melancholy look. Lit
tie they could have dreamed of its pos
sibilities as we see them to-day. Ger
tainly no flower has yet been found
which produces at once such a profuse,
delicate and vari-formed bloom. The
possibilities it has shown in the direc-
tion of color alone should win for it an
esteem which no other flower can share.
From the deepest of crimsons it may be
followed through every known shade of
reds, yellows and browns to the purest
and snowiest of white. In shape it gives
suggestions of form and line quite un-
approached by anything else in foricul-
tural art. Granted that its growth is
often irregular, there is in most of the
finer specimens the evidence of design
embodying elements of singular beauty.
Nothing certainly could surpass the sym.
metry of some of these gorgeous Chi
nesc varieties with their conically dis.
posed petals, while for gracefulness of
line some of the Japanese varieties with
their multiplicity of radiating petals
waving from large golden centers and
rounding at their tips in graceful curves
towards their centres again, there exists
nothing more artistic or beautiful
The varieties of the chrysanthemum,
too, are endless. One flower sends out q
multitude of quilted petals of varying
length that looks like rays of light spread.
ing from common centre; Others, con-
trary to all laws of symmetry, form a
tumbling mass of feathery down: others
again show balls of incurved petals that
seem to be guarding the blush of deli
cate colors that hide below tne surface;
while others still spread out IN bold and
certain curves, in spiral twirls, or hug a
central disk with close tenacity.
1t can be readily imagined what mass
of varieties there may be to speak of;
what shades, and half shades of color,
what changes of form, when it is known
that. there are in existence more than
GO0O distinct varieties of the flower,
which have sprung from three modest
and original species that resemble our
common field daisy. Each of the 5000
differs from its fellow in color or in form.
The only characteristic they all have in
common is that they have not sweet
odor, though what they have is not an
unpleasant one.
In the original form of the flower there
is yellow centre and radial petals
about it in single row. 1t grows wild
in this way in three Asiatic countries, in
Japan, in China and in India. In China
the species is divided again into flowers
of three different colors-yellow, white
and lilac. The japanese flower is the
same, but with one or two other shades
of colors added, while the Indian pos
sesses the deep crimsons and bronzes.
From these few plants assiduous care and
attention have developed the thousands
of varieties we know, by peculiarities of
inter- breeding and propagation.
Some of the exhibition plants now
measure three feet in circumference.
When the planet was first introduced
into this country it was propagated for
its medicinal qualities, as febrifuge.
1t had bitter taste and a slightly dis
agreeable odor. AS early as 1920 some
Chinese varieties were first introduced
and cultivated as ornamental plants. For
centuries it has been so regarded in China
and Japan, the cultivation of the flower
in Japan being so old and so extended
that it has become national emblem in
the nation, and has festival day set
apart in its honor. On some ancient
Japanese embroideries of the fourteenth
century the flower figures prominently.
It was not until the end of the last CEN
tury that it found its way to England.
In 1920 there were only twelve sorts
known in that country. In 1884 new
varieties had been propagated. A list
made at the time mentions as many as
sixty kinds. In this country it was not
until 1860 or thereabouts that John
Beach and Robert Fortune gave an i'm.
pulse to their cultivation. In less than
thirty years the fondness for them mas
grown almost to craze.
Varieties, as we have said. are brought
about by crosses of various kinds. Many
flowers are difficult to cross with others
of their own species, but the chrysan-
themum is not. The pollen of one kind
will fertilize another as readily as it will
one of its own kind. Starting with the
three ori sinal varieties, and these each
divided again into different colors, it is
easy to see that their cultivation is SIM
ply endless. 1t is mere matter of
arithmetical progression.
Though originally from temperate
climate the chrysanthemum is hardy
plant. 1t will stand several degrees of
frost without injury, though sharp
frost will often wilt the bloom. On this
account florists generally protect the
plant in this country. In warm weather,
however, it thrives in the open air. The
cutting practised seems to have the same
effect on it which inter breeding has on
animals. 1t renders it delicate, not so
much to tho air as to its mode of life.
To grow the best varieties chrysanthc-
NUNS need rich soil, and just the right
quantity of water. Too much surfcits
them; too little starves them. There
fore they need watching. Again, their
growth must be carefully attended to.
At certain times they must be pinchcd