CUT FLOWERS 39 



Bud " is the flower bud that forms at the end or termina- 

 tion of the season's growth ; it is surrounded by other 

 smaller flower buds, and yet other flower buds are formed 

 in the axils of the leaves on the stem below. If the 

 " Terminal Bud" is to be retained or "Taken," all the 

 flower buds around and below it are removed. " Taking 

 the Bud" means, as already indicated, the retention of 

 that particular type of bud Crown or Terminal, for 

 flowering ; the phrase is a paradoxical one. " Timing " 

 means securing the flower bud that will flower most 

 nearly the time of exhibition. August is the month in 

 which buds are " Taken " ; the best date differs with the 

 variety, and an up-to-date catalogue of Chrysanthemums 

 will prove the best indicator of the best time. If buds 

 appear a little too early they can be retarded by allow- 

 ing one of the surrounding growths to remain for a 

 week or so. 



Merits. Full size, bright colour or purity, freshness, 

 substance, and depth, in the individual blooms. Uni- 

 formity of quality in a stand of blooms; harmony of 

 colour. Healthy foliage, where long-stemmed flowers 

 are used. Smoothness of florets and regularity of form 

 in Incurved varieties. Elegance in Japanese varieties. 

 Regularity in Pompon and Reflexed varieties. Freedom 

 and grace in Single varieties, shown in sprays. Freedom 

 and effectiveness in Decorative varieties. Well de- 

 veloped, cushion-like centre in Anemone varieties, with 

 fullest development of the ray florets in Japanese Anemone 

 varieties. 



Faults. Shallow blooms ; dull or unnatural colour- 

 ing ; hollow centre ; undeveloped centre ; faded lower 

 florets ; bad staging in regard to colour harmony and 

 size; a too flat arrangement on the one hand, and ex- 

 cessive raising on the other. 



Hints. The smallest flowers should be staged in the 

 front row and the largest in the back row, and the largest 



