Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-01-01

The Chrysanthemum and It's Rise In Popu

The Chrysanthemum and It's Rise In Popa-
lnrity.
There is, it seems. . fashion in flow
ers as in every thing else The tulip
the primrose and the marguerite each
have their day and passion; La France.
Baroness, Jacqueminos and Perie des
Jardin roses follow each other rapidly
in the affections of this tickle goddess.
And so it comes about that the chrysan-
themum, certainly one of the most de-
serving of them all. holds sway to-day.
surrounded by court whose numbers
and loyalty are equalled only by that CT
the rose. The Introduction of the chry-
santhemum 10 European gardens forms
quite a tale. Though ancient dishes
and swords in the British Museum and
elsewhere. attest by their decora tons,
In which this flower is frequently em-
pioyed, that It was known and admired
centuries ago in China and Japan, it
came westward much more recently.
The late celebration of its centenary in
England brought out some interesting
facts.
A variety of the chrysanthe mum is
said to grow wild on the island of Sic
lily, where centuries ago 1t received its
name at the hands of a monk, who
called it St. Christopher's rose 1t was
probably known in Holland in the sew
enteenth century, but for some unex-
planned reasons seems to have been lost
or dropped from cultivation, for when 100
years later. the large Towering variety
was introduced from China it was
hailed as novelty. From purple-the
single color known-xas developed
rose buff and white varieties The
French soon took it up. and in their
favorable climate were able to ripen
SEEDS, at once enlarging the field of
operations. while the flower became SO
thoroughly popular that great annual
exhibitions were commenced in its in
est.
The next era in the history of the
chrysanthemum came with the intro
duction by the great English botanist
Robere Fortune, of new varieties from
Japans perhaps the emost important
event of all from its results in the de-
velopment of the flowers Fer, though
frowned upon at first by those of severe
academic notions as to what constituted
perfection of shape. the new chrysan-
themum survived this period. and by its
extreme grace and artistic character
won its way rapidly to the first place.
while in the hands of INTEL gent cross
breeders it became the progenitor OF
novel and splendid varieties undreamed
OF before
From this point its progress has been
one of unbroken triumphs. Its possi-
bilitieS. too. seem as inexhaustible as
ever. though English, French and Amer
lean florists have sent out a constant
stream Of new and magnificent varieties.
Moreover there came in the face OF all
these successes and from far Japan
again, one mora wonder. greater than
all its predece ssors here, the marvellous
Mrs Hardy, named for the lady to
whom che cutting was sent with several
others scarcely less admirable by She
lamented Mr.. Neesima
Few flowers have shown SO plant q
nature in the hands of man; of what
new Solm' of beauty it may still be ca
pable, even to hazard a guess would be
rash. Meanwhile the existing varieties.
with their ravishing wealth of color
and their infnite grace and variations
of form. compel che homage of all be-
holderS.-Boston Transcript