68 BOOK OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



artificial manure, applied judiciously, is really necessary 

 if good quality blooms are desired. 



When the flowering season is past the dead flowers 

 and a portion of stem may be removed, and the crowns 

 covered up with ashes ere the heavy winter frosts set in. 

 This system may not be necessary in many parts of the 

 British Isles. I have seen them stand a severe winter 

 without attention or covering of any kind, and break 

 away quite strongly when spring sets in. Again I have 

 known large plants of all varieties die right out in a 

 winter where the temperature has not dropped lower 

 than 12 Fahr., that is 20 degrees of frost. This has 

 taken place in a wet climate, so we might infer from this 

 that moisture combined with less frost is of a greater 

 destroying nature to plants wintering out of doors than 

 a much colder and dryer atmosphere. 



Some growers again suggest lifting the plants, with a 

 good length of stem, from their flowering quarters and 

 laying them in under a sheltered wall or similar situation. 

 When the growths push- up in the following year from 

 the old crowns or stools as they are more generally 

 termed, and are of sufficient length, they may be taken 

 off and placed under a handlight, frame, or even out on 

 the open ground. This is a ready means of increasing 

 stock and may be practised by any one. The months 

 of March and April will be found about the best time 

 for this process. 



Particular attention must be given them in keeping 

 down slugs, watering with can and rosette when re- 

 quired. Sometimes birds are rather apt to disturb and 

 lift cuttings when hunting for food. Cuttings inserted 

 properly in suitable soil should be ready for transferring 

 to the'ir permanent quarters at the end of six or eight 

 weeks at the most. Certainly some varieties root faster 

 than others. About the third week in May is con- 

 sidered the general period for planting. 



