Recent Chrysanthemums. 259 



to an appreciable degree bj growing the plants of each variety in par- 

 tially isolated batches, or, as is the common practice in large commer- 

 cial establishments, by devoting an entire bench to a single variety. 



Although hardly so satisfactory as benches, beds have some 

 advantages. A point largely in their favor is their still greater 

 economy. The material and work of a bottom are saved, and this 

 becomes a very important item when the receipts and expenditures 

 are compared. There is a further saving in labor, for the watering 

 of plants in beds does not require such persisted attention as that of 

 those in pots or benches. An experienced grower, by the exercise 

 of good judgment in watering, may often secure blooms in beds 

 fully equal in quality to the best raised on benches. 



With regard to the financial side of chysanthemum growing it 

 must be said that there are at least ten purchasers of moderate priced 

 flowers of medium quality to every one who will demand blooms 

 of faultless character and pay the highest price for them. The 

 writer has an impression that the proportion in favor of the inferior 

 flowers is on the whole much greater than this, although the assur- 

 ances given him by retail dealers of long standing in eastern cities 

 do not exceed the degree stated. Some will be inclined to say on 

 the strength of this reasoning that it would not be profitable to 

 grow flowers of the best quality. This would be an erroneous im- 

 pression, tending to defeat the purpose of these remarks, which is to 

 encourage the best rather than excuse questionable methods, and 

 yet to assure those of inferior opportunity that their position 

 is by no means hopeless. The number of growers who produce 

 lower grade flowers is far in excess of those who can rise to the 

 greater requirements of their profession, and so far there is no 

 reason to believe that the supply of greenhouse products of high 

 quality is greater than the general demand. Poor flowers do not 

 sell to advantage, but there are many profitable grades between the 

 poor and the best. Perhaps the lowest grade of marketable flowers 

 are those obtained from plants grown out of doors during the sum- 

 mer months. These plants are taken up in August and placed in 

 pots or boxes. During the latter part of September, when the 

 nights become chilly, they are removed to a sunny greenhouse, 

 where in due time they bloom profusely. The flowers of such 

 plants, in their natural clusters, are much esteemed by many pur- 

 chasers ; and if the plants themselves have had some little staking 

 and training after potting, they can be sold readily. 



