356 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



the parent of nianj^ plants now nourishing- in Minneapoli.s and other 

 places. But few June roses pay for cultivation in these days of 

 multiplied varieties of perpetuals, which with their continuous 

 bloom are so much more satisfactory. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM SEEDLINGS. 



E. NAGEL, MINNEAPOLIS. 



The interest in chrysanthemums is growing- from year to j'^ear, 

 and in the last fifteen years there has been a marvelous improve- 

 ment in them, most of which has been accomplished by seedlings. 

 As a general thing, the chrysanthemums are grown from cuttings; 

 seedlings are grown mostly to get new varieties. A great many 

 varieties have come from Japan, the home of the chrysanthemum, 

 but of late years the seedlings produced in this country are fully as 

 good, if not better, than those from any of the old countries; even the 

 French and the English are not ahead any more in the production 

 of new varieties from seed. Of late years, also, a great manj' of the 

 large Eastern growers have gone into the growing of seedling 

 chrysanthemums, and with the best results. Some of the best va- 

 rieties from England and France are still imported, but at the late 

 chrysanthemum show at the World's Fair, the seedlings originated 

 in this covintry were the best. 



For the last two years, we have been growing some seedlings and 

 have had verj' good success. We have only grown them in small 

 quantities, but have got a few varieties which compare well with 

 our other best varieties and are hoping for still better kinds. I find 

 it the most interesting work watching them grow and seeing them 

 come into bloom, and alwa3^s expecting something wonderful. Of 

 course, it does not always come out that way, but the chances are 

 there. To grow seedlings for cut flowers and plants for the trade, it 

 is not profitable, for there are so many among them that are worth- 

 less. Seedlings are grown ordy to get the new varieties, and 

 those that are good are propagated from cuttings, and in that way 

 we can keep the stock from j^ear to year. 



As to growing the seedlings: In the first place it is. necessary to 

 get the very best of seed, which can be had of any of the large and 

 reliable seed dealers in the East. Seed ma}^ be sown from the first 

 of March to the first of April, and the plants will bloom the first 

 year. 



Sow in sandy loam in shallow boxes or seed pans; press the earth 

 firm and even, and scatter the seeds evenly; then cover about one- 

 sixteenth of an inch deej) with fine sifted loam; water well with a 

 fine sprinkler; keep seed in a temperature from li")" to G.!*^, and not let 

 it get dry while germinating. When the seedlings are large enougli 

 to handle they should be pricked off in boxes similar to the seed 

 boxes, and after growing two or three weeks should be potted off in 

 two and one-half or three inch pots. Keep repotting so as not to let 

 them get pot-bound, same as other chrysanthemums, and any florist 

 that will try it will never regret it. 



