CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3207, 14 January 1893, Page 2

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Great interest is being taken by chrysanthemum growers in the Old Country in tho cultivation of their favourite flower at the Antipodes, as is shown by the following extract taken from the Gardeners' Magazine just to hand :—The National Chrysanthemum Society have taken steps to reciprocate the service performod by Mr John Earland, of Wellington, New Zealand, when he forwarded to this country, frozen in cylinders of ice, the chrysanthemums he had been instrumental in raisin?, It was felt at the time when Mr Earland's flowers were exhibited and attracted bo much interest that it would be advantageous to growers of the chrysanthemums at the Antipodes if illustrations of the best examples of English growth werefonvardod there preserved in ice, as in the case of those sent from New Zealand. The matter was taken up by Mr R. Ballantine, the chairman nf the committee, who obtained from MrH. W. Fowler, of Taunton, twelve of the best of the Japanese blooms, with which he won one of the Holmes' Memorial Challenge Cups at the recent great exhibition at the Royal Aquarium ; and from Mr W, Mease, gardener to A, Tait, Esq,, Downsido, Leatherhead, a similar number of fine incurved blooms he has this season shown at Kingston and elsewhere with so much success. Assisted by Mr Kayo, the courteous manager of the Cold Storage Works, who has entered into the project with the gr catest reaJiness and spirit, the blooms have been frozen in their attnds, with cups and tubes complete, each stand having been placed in a zinc vessel, fifteen inches in depth, and wide enough to admit of three inches of water being around each stand between it and the sides of the vessel, The freezing process occupied about four days, and when complete the lid was fastened down, and placed within a strong wooden case, with saw-dust filling up all the sides. Both cases are being despatched to New Zealand, the company generously foregoing any charge whatever, for which net thoy are entitled to tho thanks of all lovers of the chrysanthemum, The cases are expected to reach New Zealand in ample time to be exhibited at the April exhibition of the Wellington Chrysanthemum Society, which is in affiliation with the parent society in this country. We shall look witli some interest for the intelligence which will reach ns in due Course as to the condition of the bloonn when the cases are opened, and tho opinion entertainod of them by our brethren at the Antipodes,