178 DWARF PLANTS OF THE CHINESE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



open air. By this time they will have just begun to push forth flower- 

 stalks ; and some of the hardened plants must then be placed in 

 water — if there is the convenience of an Aquarium, so much the 

 better; if not, a saucer filled with water is a very good substitute. 

 Other plants must be planted out of pots in the open beds of the 

 flower garden, keeping the balls as entire as can be done. They will 

 begin to flower in June, and, if shaded, will last for many months in 

 brilliant bloom. Shading is a general rule for all high-coloured 

 flowers, such as Trevirania coccinea, Crassula coccinea, &c. 



Propagation, by cuttings, is very frequently adopted. In June, 

 take a young stalk, and divide it into lengths of five or six inches 

 each ; plant them under a hand glass, upon a border having an eastern 

 exposure ; water occasionally. Cuttings thus put off, strike with 

 remarkable facility, and will be well rooted in a month, when the 

 young plants may be managed as above directed. 



As the plants always bloom the first or second year, it is the best 

 plan to raise a good supply from seed. It should be sown imme- 

 diately after it is ripe, and be protected under a frame. In the spring 

 the seeds will begin to vegetate and the plants appear ; they should be 

 transplanted into pots, and repotted as they require it during the year. 

 The spring following they should be put into pots sufficiently large to 

 give full scope to their roots, when they will be in flower about 

 July. 



The suckers should be taken off every autumn ; for, if this is ne- 

 glected, the plant will very likely be lost, as the stem will die down 

 and rot ; thereby weakening, if not destroying, the growing plants. 



With the little trouble in culture above described, they will form 

 one of the greatest ornaments in the flower garden. I have them 

 frequently four feet high. 



ARTICLE VIII. 



METHOD OF OBTAINING DWARF PLANTS OF THE 

 CHINESE CHRYSANTEMUM. 



BY CLERICUS. 



The following easy method of obtaining dwarf plants of the above 

 beautiful autumn flower I have practised with success last season, and 

 I believe it is not generally known. In the month of September, 

 when the plants have begun to show the flower-bud, take those 



