28 BOOK OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



Chrysanthemum Society's stud-book as follows : Raiser's 

 name, pedigree of flower or plant, description, and the 

 treatment suiting it best, and when certificated. Of 

 course I am referring to first-class kinds. 



Nearly all buds should be taken during the last three 

 weeks of August, and none later than the first week of 

 September. 



The best time of day to inspect them and select buds 

 is undoubtedly in the early morning, unless the day should 

 prove dull and cloudy. The growth will naturally be 

 so much fresher and firmer under these conditions, and 

 the removal of the superfluous buds around the crown 

 will be much easier. 



It is not a good plan to attempt the removal at too 

 early a stage, or it may happen that the bud intended to 

 remain may be broken off in the operation, and then all 

 one's time and labour will be lost. Better allow the 

 buds to become the size of small peas before removing, 

 and this can be easily managed if daily attention is given 

 them. Again, it is not wise to allow the buds to get too 

 forward, as by so doing they would rob the chief bud 

 of its strength and do it incalculable harm, possibly 

 handicapping it from becoming anything like a first- 

 class bloom. The point of a penknife (a small one) is a 

 very good instrument to use when taking buds, or even 

 a steel pen nib. 



