168 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in pots, either singly or otherwise, and placed on a firm, moist surface, 

 sand or ashes ; but if large quantities are required, an ordinary propa- 

 gating bed must be resorted to, and the same process as in rooting 

 roses, carnations, etc., excepting the bottom heat. The cuttings should 

 be at least three inches long and cut just below a joint ; must be taken 

 from a healthy, growing plant to be successful and make No. 1 plants. 

 When small pots are used, they should be filled with a mixture of leaf- 

 mold and sand, equal parts, run through a sieve. Well-drained pots 

 should be used, with a layer of sand on top. With a pointed stick 

 make a hole in the center, insert the cutting about one-half its length, 

 and press the soil about it firmly, taking care that the cutting is not 

 bruised. By this method the greatest success may be expected, and 1 

 would recommend that all plants raised for specimens should be rooted 

 in this manner. 



When the desired number of cuttings are potted, water thoroughly 

 and place them in the house or frame prepared for them. Here they 

 should be kept close, and sprinkled lightly, when dry, until rooted, 

 which will be indicated by their putting forth new leaves, when air 

 should be admitted on every favorable occasion, and they will also 

 need more water. When the pots are tilled with roots, they should be 

 shifted to larger pots in good, rich soil. 



Propagation by division is adopted chiefly by amateurs, who keep 

 their old plants to flower the next season, and is not to be recom- 

 mended except as a simple means of increasing their stock for ordinary 

 out-door cultivation. It is best done in March or April. The old 

 plant should be lifted with a spade and divided. The old stump should 

 be discarded and only the young suckers used, and, when possible, 

 these should be taken off with roots attached. They may be planted 

 at once, and if the weather is cloudy and moist they will grow on with- 

 out further trouble. This system is especially recommended for the 

 south, where they grow out of doors all the year. Never let them go 

 more than one year without dividing. Give them rich soil and lots of 

 ■water, as the Chrysanthemum is a thirsty plant. Keep the ground 

 loose around the plants and mulch in very hot weather. Grafting is 

 done in the usual manner, but as chrysanthemum wood is of annual 

 duration, it must be done in the summer months. This method is not 

 used to increase the stock, but to increase the number of varieties on 

 an individual plant simply as objects of curiosity. In-arching is done 

 for the same purpose. 



Propagation by seed, together with the process of hybridizing, is 

 a branch of chrysanthemum culture to which no hard and fast rule 

 can be applied. Climate and condition must be studied. Probably no 



