322 ANNUAL EEPOET 



And to-day, it is used at the most brilliant receptions,, parties 

 and weddings, everywhere where flowers are used, the chrysan- 

 themum is the leading flower in its season. 



It is not an exotic which commands a great deal of care and 

 tender treatment; it has some peculiarities, but they are easily 

 learned, and by a little watchfulness anyone can grow them. 

 Their propagation is so easy that a great many florists put them 

 almost any place, because they think they will grow anywhere, 

 and abuse them in the most shameful manner. 



They certainly do grow anywhere, but to grow them well they 

 want some care and a good place, like other plants. The propa- 

 gation is easy, and should be done as early as possible. After- 

 they are through flowering they should.be cut down to the pot 

 — and they will throw out suckers from the roots around the 

 stem, and when large enough they may be taken off as cuttings 

 and put in cutting bench or divided and planted in small pot& 

 at once — one way is as good as the other. January and Febru- 

 ary are the best months for it, but it may be done later, any 

 month until May, with good results. After the young plants are 

 potted, care must be taken not to let them get pot-bound. As. 

 soon as the pot is full of roots they must be transplanted into a 

 larger pot; and they must be pinched back from;.time to time, 

 so as to give the plants a good shape and make them bushy .^ 

 The pinching back should be done a few.'days before transplant- 

 ing, so as to have them sprout again before transplanting. The 

 soil should be good and rich; compost made of well rotted sods 

 with one-third old cow manure is best. At all times they re- 

 quire plenty of water; they should never be left dry enough ta 

 wilt. 



In potting, the pots should not be filled too full 'with earth, so 

 as to leave at least one inch space for water, that is when they 

 are in pots the sizes from seven to ten inches. 



In the month of May they can be put out doors, but they must 

 have plenty of sun and air; give the plants plenty of room, so as 

 not to crowd each other; the pots must be sunk in the ground, 

 and the limbs tied to stakes so the wind won't break them, or they 

 may be planted out in the open ground and left until fall, and 

 potted and brought into the house before cold weather sets in; in. 

 either case they will flower in abundance. 



The main point in growing chrysanthemums is, to keep them 

 growing, and that must be done by giving water freely and 

 transplanting whenever necessary; whenever a chrysanthemum is 

 checked in its growth the result will be crippled flowers. 



