4 THE FLORIST. 



Mr. Robinson's directions are as follows : 



" Having paid particular attention for the last two years to this 

 interesting autumnal flower, I will briefly give the result of my expe- 

 rience for the benefit of your readers. The little Chusan Daisy, 

 introduced through the Horticultui-al Society some years ago by Mr. 

 Fortune, and distributed by it amongst its Fellows, was the parent 

 of the numerous and beautiful varieties we now possess. We are^ 

 however, principally indebted to the continental growers for the 

 great improvements effected on the original by judicious hybridising, 

 for they do not seed freely in this country. Mr. Salter, of Hammer- 

 smith, was, I believe, one of the first in this country^ to bring this 

 flower prominently before the public, by annually importing, as he 

 does, all the best new varieties. This is also done by Messrs. Hen- 

 derson and Son, of the Wellington-road Nursery, St. John's Wood, 

 Mr. Iveiy of Peckham, and Mr. Turner of Slough, who grow all 

 the leading sorts at present known. I am of opinion that the Pom- 

 pones are the best autumnal plants for pot culture we have had 

 introduced into this countiy for some years past. 



" The soil most suitable for them is one-half rich turfy loam, 

 ' one-fourth horse and cow manure in equal parts well decomposed, 

 • and a small portion of silver-sand. The Pompones are easily pro- 

 ;pagated ; about the second week in April is a very good time to 

 ■perform this operation. Having obtained as many thumb-pots as 

 you require, fill them with rich light soil. Commence the work by 

 taking off" strong healthy cuttings, placing each cutting singly in the 

 pot. The pots should be plunged into a brisk bottom-heat, either in 

 a propagating-house or frame, keeping them close, and frequently 

 sprinkling ' ihem overhead with a fine-rosed watering-pot ; by no 

 means allow them to droop. As soon as rooted, admit air on all 

 occasions when the weather is favourable, increasing it as the plants 

 become established. When sufficiently rooted re-pot them into 4- inch 

 pots, and place them again in a shght bottom-heat, keeping them 

 Tather close for a week or ten days ; this will promote their growth 

 Tery materially; after which admit air plentifully to strengthen the 

 plants. When well rooted they should be shifted into 5-inch pots. 



They may now have the full benefit of both sun and air. When 

 well rooted round the pots, stop them close down within three 

 inches of the soil ; by this plans you will make short, bushy plants. 

 After they have broken, shift them into 6-inch pots, in which they 

 will make fine specimens ; but if you require them very large, you 

 may give them another shift into 8-inch ones, or they may be put 

 into these pots at once instead of 6-inch. 



After they have received their final shift and are well established, 

 you may give them a Httle weak manui'e-water twice a-week, and 

 plunge them about halfway down the pots in the ground in the 

 open air, where they may remain until the buds are well set and 

 have begun to show colour, when they should be removed to the 

 greenhouse or consen-atory. In the absence of either of these con- 

 veniences a pit will answer very well. Fumigate Avith tobacco at 

 least twice at this stage of theii growth. If these instructions are 



