334 Bulletin 147. 



stemmed flowers, and for some favorites in every month of the year, 

 has conspicuously changed the methods of cuhivation of chrysanthe- 

 mums, roses and violets, and has given to the world a distinctly 

 American type of carnations. Americans buy cut-flowers, keep them 

 in vases as long as they are thoroughly satisfactory, and are very 

 sensitive to the delights of arrangement for form and color effects. 

 The keeping qualities of chrysanthemums are extraordinary, and this 

 happy circumstance is one reason why this greenhouse flower has so 

 won its way into the hearts of the masses. 



Nevertheless, the cry is sometimes raised that the chrysanthemum 

 is a *' rich man's flower." Moreover, the love of the blossoin is only 

 the beginning of nature-wisdom. Until there is developed a feeling 

 for the platit^ there is no deep sympathy with, or real insight into the 

 meaning and mystery of nature. The best relation with plants is the 

 living with them, the appreciation of every stage of their life cycle. 

 Ten cents will buy a magnificent flower, but no one may own a chrys- 

 anthemum in the highest sense without a year's comradeship with the 

 plant. You must produce it — evolve it, as it were, from your own 

 understanding of life. 



II. SUGGESTIONS ON GROWING CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



AT HOME. 



It is not true that the farmer's wife may not have a few fine 

 chrysanthemums. She may have them in her garden for the price the 

 least part of which is paid in money, but they will give the highest 

 pleasure when they blossom indoors during November. They cannot 

 be raised as easily as a geranium (which in this single respect is the 

 ideal plant for the window garden) but they can be grown in the home 

 by all who really love to care for plants. People are always asking 

 (and I hope they always will ask) just how to do it. The horticultural 

 journals answer, the daily newspapers tell the story during show time, 

 and a brief account was given in Bulletin 136 from the Station. But 

 it is discouraging to be referred to back numbers, and a more extended 

 account is needed in a separate form. 



* Portions of the following have been published in the American Agricul- 

 turist^ with illustrations. 



