192 VILLA GARDENING- part ii 



in their flowering pots. Neither is it wise to give large shifts, as 

 this causes gross growth, which proves troublesome to keep within 

 bounds. The leading shoots should be pinched at the right time, 

 to keep the plants well fiunished and bushy. The stopping and 

 potting should not be done at the same time, as, on the principle 

 of minimising the checks, it is best to do the pinching a short 

 time (long enough to allow the buds to burst) before the pot- 

 ting. The last stopping should be given not later than the 

 middle of July, and the last shift not later than the 25th of 

 that month. 



Summer Management. — The plants must have plenty of 

 room. When placed close together the leaves sufter and become 

 a prey to mildew. They should never stand so close as to touch 

 each other. All through the spring till the middle of May they 

 should receive careful attention in watering, ventilation, etc., 

 throwing off the lights in the daytime when fine ; and when the 

 weather'becomes settled after the middle of May the plants should 

 occupy a sheltered, though at the same time an open position, on 

 a coal -ash bed in the open air, having previously for the last 

 month or so had the lights tkawn ott" them on every favourable 

 opportunity. They should be arranged on the bed in lines, so 

 that access can be obtained to every plant for the piu-pose of 

 examination. During bright weatlier the foliage of the plants 

 and the ashes beneath and around them should be sprinkled daily 

 with soft water. On no account must this be neglected, as the 

 health, vigour, and freedom from insects depends in a great measure 

 upon this being done when necessary. Water at the roots, too, 

 must be freely given, for Chrysanthemums are gross feeders. 

 Provided the drainage is free and the compost used rough and 

 fibry, it is not easy to over-water when the plants have become 

 large and bushy. In very bright weather they will require water 

 twice a day — morning and evening, with a sprinkling over the 

 foliage about 3 o'clock in the afternoon in addition. 



Liquid Manure must be frequently given when the buds are 

 showing, and onwards, varying the kind of liquid used occasionally, 

 as plants appreciate a change of diet sometimes. Soot-water is 

 good for nearly all 'plants as a change. A little guano occasionally 

 may also be given with the same object in view, as well as Stauden's 

 or any other of the artificials. Soot-water, when clear and weak, 

 may be syringed over the foliage occasionally. It gives a fine 

 dark glossy character to the leaves, and keeps back insects and 

 mildew. It can be made by tying up a peck of soot in a bag and 

 sinking it into a barrel of water, stirring it daily for a week. 

 Then drop in a lump of lime (about :\ couple of pounds in weight) 



