In the illustration below Mr. Southard is standing between two specimen plants. Notice the difference in the general appearance of the twain. That on the left is ragged and unkempt, though it is in every way a show specimen. Compare it with the neat, charming effect of the plant to the right of the picture. Here is an instance of what a little show preparation will do for the plant itself. In the latter case, each bloom and stalk is trained up to a stick, and as a consequence perfect harmony is gained, and the plant shows at its best. In many cases these stalks have to be trained round corners, and describe wonderful curves in order to take up the places assigned to them. The space under the blooms and foliage is a forest of sticks, all engaged in carrying the long, pliable stalks to their rightful places.
THE FLORAL BARBER AT HIS WORK. CONTRAST THE TWO PLANTS.
The untied plant on the left is a wonderful specimen. It measures over four feet across the top, grows from one stalk, and yet only occupies a twelve-inch pot.
Blooms from some of the choice plants are worth from three to five shillings apiece, while even cuttings will fetch the latter figure.
One of the great fascinations of show-chrysanthemum growing is the possibility of producing new blooms. Out of twelve exhibited flowers shown me at a recent show, nine were entirely new specimens. Like the orchid grower, the chrysanthemum lover is ever seeking floral novelties. In the ordinary way it takes some years to produce and fix a new flower. Endless patience, experiment, and knowledge are necessary to success; but here, as in most branches of floriculture, there is a strong element of luck, and the raw amateur sometimes purchases a cutting which turns out to be an extraordinarily fine specimen of a new variety.
This element of uncertainty undoubtedly constitutes one of the great charms of horticulture.