Cornell University, March 21, 1898. 

 Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany. 



Sir: The popular interest in chrysanthemums continues to be 

 unabated. The chrysanthemum fills a season which is occupied by no 

 other important flower, and it presents the most astonishing ranges of 

 form, color and behavior. In addition to all this, the plant is easily 

 grown and it responds quickly to all the httle modifications of treat- 

 ^ ment which the plant-lover habitually bestows upon his plants. For 

 these reasons, the chrysanthemum must continue to be popular and to 

 demand the attention of experimenters. 



We desire to still further popularize the plant among the amateurs 

 and especially with those who live in the country. We have therefore 

 given general hints upon the cultivation of the plant when glass 

 houses cannot be had. 



On the other hand, we desire to aid the professional florist; and 

 for him we have grown the novelties, have begun experiments with 

 fertilizers (which we shall continue), have studied some of the problems 

 associated with variations in color, and have now made a full review 

 of the vexed questions involved in the selection of crown and terminal 

 buds. 



This report, therefore, considers the following matters : 



I. The economic status of the chrysanthemum. Pages t,2)Z^ 334* 



II. Suggestions on growing chrysanthemums at home. Pages 334 

 to 342. 



III. Controlling the color of chrysanthemums. Pages 342 to 



348. 



IV. Crown and terminal buds. Pages 34S to 362. 



V. The Cornell varieties of 1897. Pages 363 to 368. 



VI. Summary. Page 368. 



I. P. Roberts, 

 • Director. 



