82 CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM. 



The following method of striking cuttings of Heaths I also adopt, 

 viz., to plunge the pots into coal-ashes or rotten tan, or similar matter, 

 in a rather damp, shaded border, covering eacli pot with a bell-glass, 

 and the whole with a close frame and lights. By this method the 

 cuttings are longer in rooting, but as it is within the reach of every 

 one possessed of a garden, however small, and, therefore, as it is 

 attended with less risk from inattention, &c, I recommend it to their 

 attention, for I raise a considerable quantity in this way. It is neces- 

 sary, in preparing the pots for the cuttings, to select them of about 

 equal sizes, say that of 3'2's, and to fill them within an inch and a half 

 from the top with broken pots, cinders, coarse gravel, or small stones, 

 over which a thin layer of moss (hypnum) is placed, to prevent the finer 

 particles of mould from.being washed clown amongst the drainage. The 

 pot is then filled to the brim with fine, pure white sand, as free as pos- 

 sible of earthy or irony matter ; but as this is seldom to be procured 

 sufficiently free of those matters, it may be well to wash it by putting 

 small quantities at a time into a bag, and dragging it frequently 

 through a cistern or stream of water. When put into the pot, it should 

 be well watered, and pressed firmly down, the surface made smooth and 

 level, and the cuttings put in as soon after as possible. 



In the propagation of Heaths it has been almost universally main- 

 tained that bell-glasses should be used under all circumstances, that is, 

 whether they be placed in heat, in a shady border, cool frame, or pit. 

 When glasses are used, the greatest care must be taken that they be 

 kept regularly wiped at least once a-day, to prevent damp from destroy- 

 ing the cuttings. Cuttings placed in a cool shaded border, frame, or 

 pit, should certainly be covered with bell or hand glasses, and these 

 should remain on until they are rooted, and taken off' only for the pur- 

 pose of being wiped, and any damp or mouldiness removed from the 

 surface of the sand in which they are placed. Regularity in watering, 

 and also in shading, is absolutely necessary to ensure success. When 

 the young cuttings begin to grow, air is gradually admitted to them, so 

 that by the time they are rooted, and fit for transplanting, they may be 

 able to withstand the sun's heat, and free exposure to the air. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM, 



ITS CULTURE, AND SELECT LIST OF THOSE VARIETIES SUITABLE 

 FOR COMPETITION AS CUT BLOOMS. 



BY MR. GEORGE TAYLOR, GARDENER TO JOSEPH WILLIAMS, ESQ., STAMPORD HILL, 



NEAR LONDON. 



This showy autumnal flower, which greatly enhances the beauty of our 

 gardens, and more especially the conservatories, during the dull months 

 of November and December, is now claiming the attention of the 

 admirers of floriculture, as a flower worthy of being extensively culti- 

 vated for competition, especially so as the tribe blooms at a period 

 of the year when the greater portion of floral beauty is absent. The 

 Chinese take great interest in the cultivation of this flower. It was 

 first introduced into this country from China, in 1764. 



A few practical remarks on the treatment as adopted by one who, as 



