1879.] SMALL CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 431 



the treatment they receive while they are forming roots. The plan of 

 propagating that I have found to succeed best is to raise a gentle hot- 

 bed by collecting a little short grass and leaves, and mixing them well 

 together so as to generate a gentle moist heat. This being done, a 

 number of small sixty-sized pots — say from fifty to a hundred, as the 

 case may be — should be got in readiness, by having them clean washed 

 and a single crock placed in the bottom of each pot for drainage. The 

 pots should then be filled to within half-an-inch of their surface with 

 a liberal compost of good loam and rotten dung well incorporated 

 together. The next point of importance is the selection of cuttings in 

 a proper condition. These should be taken from bush-plants that are 

 growing vigorously after the " bud is formed" — or set, as the common 

 phrase goes — about the second week in August. The secret of success 

 lies in having the bud just formed, and in rooting the plant as quickly 

 as possible. When the cuttings are being inserted a hole should be made 

 in the centre of the soil in each pot, into which put a little leaf-mould 

 and sand mixed, and press the cutting firmly into it, then plunge the 

 pots into the bed already prepared for their reception, and dew over 

 through a fine syringe. The plants should never be allowed to see the 

 sun nor to droop a leaf while they are rooting, as their beauty depends 

 in a great measure upon their being furnished with fine glossy leaves. 

 As they are found to be rooting, gradually withdraw the shade, and 

 keep the soil in the pots loose on the surface. The bottom-heat will 

 be daily on the decline as the plants are rooting, and air should be ad- 

 mitted more or less as the plants will stand it, until they will bear 

 exposure altogether, by which time the heat in the bed will have died 

 out, and the sashes may be removed from over the plants. All the 

 buds should be removed when large enough but the centre or conical 

 one, before the latter gets distorted by the smaller buds pressing 

 against it. A sharp-pointed stick with the point slightly bruised 

 between the teeth answers well for the purpose, and is not likely if it 

 touches the main bud to puncture it. 



The small pots are best kept plunged all through the autumn, but 

 there should be some hard substance placed under the bottom of each 

 to keep the roots from travelling outside the pot. The plants require 

 extra attention in watering, and should be frequently supplied with 

 liquid manure, even while the buds are expanding, at which time they 

 should be removed to a shelf in a light airy structure, and kept at a 

 temperature of 55°, with air on night and day, except in case of exces- 

 sive damp or frost. In the former case the temperature should fall five 

 degrees at night, and the atmosphere of the house should be thoroughly 

 dried up before the house is closed in, as excessive moisture condens- 

 ing on the opening flowers is likely to spoil some of the petals and thus 

 spoil the symmetry of the flower. The object of the warmth is to 

 " grow out the petals to their full length," and the liquid manure will 

 assist to produce substance and breadth of petal as well as colour. 



