ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 123 



soil, except tliat. old frame dung may be substituted for the vege- 

 table mould. At the latter end of June, nip off the top of the 

 leading shoot ; in August, shift into 32's, with the same compost 

 as last-mentioned ; place in the sun, and water in hot weather 

 over the leaves with clear water, and the jiots occasionally with 

 manured water and soap-suds diluted. Moss placed over the sur- 

 face of the mould, prevents too gi'eat evaporation. If a gentle hot 

 bed be handy, it will be preferable to give the cuttings the advan- 

 tage, and the plant loses no time in striking. The shifting is of 

 very great utility in forwarding their growth- 

 Fine plants may be obtained by layering about the latter end 

 of June. The extremities of the shoots at about the third or fourth 

 joint, ai'e to be pegged down in pots ])laccd at proper distances ; in 

 four or five weeks they will be found to have rooted, and may be 

 shifted at once into pots to bloom ; a shady place is perhaps tlie 

 best adaj)tcd for this manipulation. By these latter methods, 

 handsome plants from one to three feet high may be obtained. 

 If very dwarf plants should be required, they may be obtained 

 firom cuttings struck even as late as the beginning of August, on a 

 gentle bottom heat, well shaded and watered. They will root in 

 a short tune, and should then be hardened by degrees, and shifted 

 into 48's to bloom ; the sizes of the plants in their natural state, 

 as given by Mr. IIaworth, will be a guide as to the height 

 wished for. 



A superb effect is produced with these delightful flowers by 

 placing, in October, the pots on their sides about a foot apart in a 

 bed, (a ranunculus bed is well adapted,) and covering the pots 

 with earth. They should be placed in rows, the second row being 

 placed about a foot behind the first, and so on in succession ; the 

 stems should be pegged downi ; in a few days the flower stems will 

 turn up, and if the colours be well blended, nothing can exceed 

 the richness of this display. To keep the bloom in perfection, 

 some protection, by means of an awning from rain and frost, is 

 necessary ; and, if this be adopted, the prolongation of their bloom 

 will be greatly increased. Such is the kindliness and good nature 

 of this plant that it will yield to any mode of culture, and among 

 a variety, of course, the one best adai)ted to the wishes and means 

 of tlie (lorist will be followed. The above, however, can be recom- 

 mended ius the result of successful experience. 



