516 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



feet in length, is ])laced along the front of tlie orange-house; and in 

 both ways the effect is infinitely better than we ever saw or could get 

 with trained plants and thinned-out flowers, attention to both of which 

 we consider loss of time, and no gain in any other way. To secure 

 dwarf bushy plants of the kind we indicate, the cuttings may be taken 

 off and rooted in February or March ; and as soon as they have begun 

 to grow freely and make roots in single pots, stopping should com- 

 mence. 



Keeping the plants dwarf at first, and securing a good base of young 

 shoots close to the bottom, is the best way of beginning to get the 

 most useful of all forms of the Chrysanthemum. The shoots may 

 require stopping often er than once or twice ; but they should be 

 allowed to grow up from the middle or end of July onwards. From 

 then until they flower, it is of the utmost importance that they are 

 never allowed to feel the want of moisture at the root. Being allowed 

 to become over-dry once or twice, or repeatedly, as is often the case, 

 interferes greatly with the healthy appearance of the plant, and it has 

 also a tendency to diminish the size of the blooms. A free growth 

 and unchecked development are what give the best results, and reason- 

 able attention will always insure this. At the present time, as Chry- 

 santhemums are now our staple flower, there is little danger of their 

 being neglected; but it is not so much when they are just coming into 

 flower that special and constant attention is wanted to make up for 

 other or previous omissions. If well grown up to the time the flower- 

 buds form, they will, in a sense, take care of themselves afterwards, 

 and open their flowers freely and fully. fStill, when in small pots, and 

 these well filled with roots, the soil and manure used at pottiiig-time 

 may be nearly exhausted ; manure-water may then be given with advan- 

 tage two or three times weekly. Although very hardy, Chrysanthemum 

 flowers are very liable to damp or decay prematurely if the atmosphere 

 about them is close, cold, and humid; and when it is desired that they 

 should last good to Christmas or further on, conditions of the kind 

 must be avoided. Chrysanthemums, especially before they come into 

 bloom, will bear much frost without injury; and when they are wanted 

 late, there need be no great hurry to get them under cover in autumn. 

 Some of the earliest-flowering ones may be taken in about the middle 

 of October or so, but the late ones should be left out as long as ever 

 the blooms are not liable to suffer. This plan will give a longer suc- 

 cession of bloom than trying to keep them back after they are in full 

 flower. Where many plants are grown, it is seldom all are wanted for 

 cuttings, one of each kind generally being sufficient to supply a stock; 

 and it is well to look better after these plants than the others. When 

 done flowering they should not be put suddenly out in the cold, or 

 behind a hedge, or any such place, but they should have the protection 

 of a cold frame and a glass light at least. For the old plants, 

 plenty of light and air on all favourable occasions will insure a sup- 



