44 THE PLANT WORLD 



The Home Garden and Greenhouse. 



Conducted by F. H. Knowlton. 



[The editor of this department will be glad to auswer questions of a rele- 

 vant nature, and also to receive short articles on any phase of this subject.] 



Chrysanthemums. — The Chtysanthemums that were in such glory a 

 few weeks ago are of course things of the past, but it is now time to be 

 thinking of next autumn's supply. Perhaps many of om readers as they 

 were looking over the Chr>^santhemum Show last fall were moved by the 

 impulse to try a hand at the problem, yet were discouraged at the outset 

 by the improbability of being able to equal those on exhibition. Right 

 here let me say that it is not at all necessary to grow so-called specimen 

 plants in order to get the fullest amount of pleasure. A specimen plant 

 grown to a single stem and a single gigantic flower is all right as such, 

 but it is more or less of a monstrosity, and directly contrary to the nat- 

 ural habit of the plant. A plant which is permitted to retain at least six 

 or eight strong branches, each bearing one or two flowers, is far more 

 decorative and satisfactory'- under most conditions than when grown to a 

 single stem. The latter are only effective when massed, while the former 

 are thoroughly enjoyable everywhere. The manner of propagating chry- 

 santhemums is verj' simple. In exceptional cases only are the old plants 

 grown on to a second flowering, as the results are not satisfactor>^ After 

 flowering the pots should be set aside in any convenient place, as a cellar 

 or in a cool dark part of the greenhouse. They should not be allowed to 

 become dust dry, but given sufficient water to keep them from drying out. 

 Here they may remain until Februar>' or later, when they may be brought 

 into the light and warmth and given one thorough watering and then kept 

 moist. In a few days shoots or " suckers " will begin to come up from 

 the underground stems. As soon as these are from 3 to 5 inches high 

 they should be broken off, and after the removal of some of the lower 

 leaves, plunged in the cutting box, which should be supplied with 

 moderate bottom heat. As soon as they are rooted they should be potted 

 in 3- or 4-inch pots, using a good soil of loam, well rotted manure, and a 

 little sand. They should be kept growing without check, being shifted into 

 larger pots as required. Commercially they are transferred to the benches 

 in the greenhouse where they are to bloom, but very good results indeed 

 may be secured by planting them out in the ground after all danger of 

 frost is passed. They should have a good rich garden soil and plenty of 

 water, and should be potted in large pots, disturbing the roots as little as 

 possible, some time in September. The manner of pruning, disbudding, 

 and subsequent flowering will be more fully described later. Small 

 rooted cuttings of even the best varieties may be pm-chased for a 

 moderate sum if one does not care to take the trouble of rooting them. 



