THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 65 
CULTIVATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
BY J. JAMES, 
Head Gardener at Redlees, Isleworth. 
(With Coloured Plate of Chrysanthemums Venus and General Slade.) 
a8, O much has of late years been written on the cultivation 
| of the chrysanthemum, that there is now little to be 
said in any way new, yet it is hoped that a brief out- 
line of the method adopted in the production of first- 
class specimen plants and cut blooms, will be alike 
interesting and instructive to many readers of the Frorat Wor.p. 
The chrysanthemum has, upon more than one occasion, been desig- 
nated ‘“‘ the poor man’s flower;” but it has no good claim to that 
title, and it would be nearer the mark were it to be ealled the flower 
of the middle classes. It is so hardy that there is no risk of its 
being killed by frost, and it will grow freely in the smokiest of 
atmospheres ; but to have it in anything like perfection, a consider- 
able amount of labour is required, and to be able to enjoy the flowers 
at all, the shelter afforded by glass is imperative. Therefore, as it is 
exceptional to meet with greenhouses and conservatories in the 
poor man’s garden, it can hardly be a flower specially suited to his 
requirements. The exhibitions of chrysanthemums, which are now 
held all over the country, and enjoy so large a share of popularity, 
are mainly supported by the middle classes; for it is in the gardens 
of the well-to-do amateur that the majority of the plants and blooms 
are produced, and the visitors consist chiefly of persons in a similar 
station of life. These exhibitions, there can be no question, have done 
much to popularize the chrysanthemum, for one can hardly see a 
group.of really well-grown specimens without being filled with a 
-desire to have a similar group in the conservatory. Hence it is that 
accessions are continually being made to the number of cultivators, 
of the chrysanthemum, and that information in reference to the: 
cultural details is constantly in request. t 
I shall say nothing in praise of them, for it is now generally. 
acknowledged that they are unequalled for the, decoration ofthe 
conservatory during November, and I feel that [ shall be doing 
better service by at once passing on to a consideration of the © 
cultural details. . . ; 
Dwarr Specimens trained, to a convex surface, are more easily 
produced than the standards and pyramids, and in commencing the 
cultivation of specimens, they should be taken in hand in preference 
to the other forms. The period in which the plants have to make 
their growth is comparatively brief, and to take advantage of every 
day, as it were, is of the utmost importance. The best course is to 
strike the cuttings towards the end of November or in January, and if 
it is not convenient to, strike cuttings in either of these months, ex- 
perienced cultivators pot up, some time in February, suckers that have 
not been drawn by overcrowding. Every effort is very properly made 
to have a stock of thrifty plants nicely established in small pots by 
5 
March, 
