CHINESE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 485 



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to the pleasure gardens when Flora has with- 

 drawn most of her other embellishments. For 

 this purpose it should be planted in those parts 

 of the grounds that are sheltered from the north 

 by shrubs, trees, or buildings, so as to protect 

 the flowers from the effects of the cutting winds, 

 and it is also desirable that a similar shelter 

 should be given against the south-west winds ; 

 and, as the winds are less frequent from the 

 eastern point at the season when the Chrysan- 

 themum flowers, we have found them retain their 

 beauty longest in spots that have been open to 

 the south or south-east aspect, although in mild 

 autumns these plants will flourish in almost any 

 situation, nor are they particular as to soil excepting 

 it be too wet, but they thrive best in a light free 

 earth, and are observed to preserve the colours 

 well in such soil. To increase the size of the 

 flowers the earth should be mixed with about a 

 third part of rotten dung that has been taken 

 from a melon or cucumber bed ; and, if a top 

 dressing of the same rich manure be given to the 

 plants when the flower-buds appear, it will greatly 

 contribute towards enlarging the corollas, par- 

 ticularly if rain or watering follow. 



The Chrysanthemum sends out a great quan- 

 tity of fibrous roots, in order to supply the nume- 

 rous flowering stems wdth nourishment, conse- 



2 F 2 



