MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 421 



in diameter are required. Tlie plants should be well drenched with 

 water at once and set in some shady place for a few days, after which 

 they can be exposed to the full sun. They must be protected before 

 the appearance of frost, bat should not be subjected to artificial heat, 

 a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit being quite high enough. 

 Where they are intended to flower out-of-doors it is best either to plant 

 them at first in some sheltered position, or to dig carefully and remove 

 to such a place after the middle of October. Many of the varieties 

 will endure the severest winter weather, provided they are slightly 

 protected. Where plants are already in pots, a simple way of keeping 

 them is to place them in any cool light cellar, a cool pit, or out-house, 

 where the extreme weather is somewhat tempered. They begin to 

 grow again in March. 



In the case of outdoor plants, after cutting them down mulch 

 them over with their own cut off tops, some strawy litter or some dry 

 forest leaves, held in place by twigs or litter. This mulching may be 

 removed before spring opens, say about the end of March. 



The most interesting part of chrysanthemum culture to the ama- 

 teur is the raising of seedlings, in which there are surprises, hopes and 

 wonders. The young plants raised from division, side sprouts and 

 cuttings continue to be identical in kind with their parents, but in 

 seedlings we never expect to find anything closer than a family like- 

 ness, or any two alike. Indeed, from seed saved from any one plant 

 we may raise flowers of the various classes and all the colors peculiar 

 to the race, and while some may be very good, others may be very in- 

 ferior. 



Firm and healthy short-jointed shoots should be selected for cut- 

 ting or sports. The cutting should be at least three inches long and 

 cut horizontally with a sharp knife. From these sports the identical 

 variety of the parent plant is produced. The pots to receive the cut- 

 tings should be filled with a rather fine mixture of equal parts of sand, 

 leaf mold and loam, well drained, with a thin layer of sand on top. 

 Water thoroughly and then place in the house or frame prepared, 

 where they should be kept close and syringed lightly when dry until 

 rooted, which will be usually indicated by the putting forth of the 

 leaves, when air may be admitted gradually and more water applied. 

 Grafting is performed simply to produce curio plants for public sur- 

 prise. 



Although the chrysanthemum is belittled artistically by the ease 

 of its imitation in hideous paper flowers, it will more and more de- 

 serve the title of the "Star-eyed Daughter of the Fall." 



