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eighteen inches, nip the top off with the finger and 
thumb. Do not nip it down too far, just only the centre 
bud is all you want to remove. This will cause it to emit 
side branches, all of which must be removed from the 
lower part of the stem, and by no means let any come up 
from the roots. These must be cut away as soon as they 
appear from the surface of the ground up to say about 
twelve inches of the main stem. No shoots must be 
allowed to come. All above this must be encouraged, 
and as they grow out must be nipped off at the end, as 
you did the main shoot, always having due regard for 
the shape and proportions of your plants. 
PRUNING AND STAKING. 
Through the early Summer months, when they are 
growing rapidly, this nipping will need attention every 
week or ten days, and by a close observation of these 
rules you will have a nice shaped plant on one stem to 
reward you for your attention. Be careful as the plant 
gets larger to add more stakes to keep it from breaking 
off at the joints, as Chrysanthemums grown in this way 
are very liable to snap off at the joints from the least 
cause. The neatest way is to put one strong stake in the 
centre and lcop the different branches up to it, using a 
separate string for each shoot, and not pass the string 
entirely around the plant and tie it, as you would a sheaf 
of wheat, as is frequently done. This manner keeps the 
branches too close, and the air cannot circulate freely 
enough through them to induce their proper develop- 
ment. 
WATERING AND MULCHING. 
At all times during the Summer keep the. ground 
around the plant nicely worked, never allowing the 
ground to become baked. Water always in dry weather. 
