VIL] SEASON OF GROWTH AND MATURITY LIMITED 161 



to succeed in a season or two, and some few will very soon 

 develop into experts. 



The object of this chapter is rather suggestion than in- 

 struction ; many books have been written on the subject. 

 "The Standard Handbook," however, is one by Edwin 

 Molyneux, from which even beginners may learn much, 

 and exhibitors everything. 



The first thing to be thought of is to provide oneself 

 with healthy young plants which have been struck in 

 the early spring (they are constantly advertised in The 

 Garden , Gardening Illustrated, Amateur Gardening, or The 

 Gardener}, if one's friends cannot supply them from their 

 old plants. People have often many more than they need 

 for themselves. When the plants are obtained these 

 should first be potted in 3-inch, and afterwards in 5 -inch, 

 finally in 7- to 9-inch pots, and never allowed to remain 

 long enough to be pot bound ; each shift should be made 

 as soon as the roots have filled the pot. The ordinary 

 compost for soft-wooded plants is sufficiently good for the 

 first two pottings, but the final remove is of much 

 importance. 



It ought to be borne in mind that Chrysanthemums 

 have a great deal to do during a very limited season of 

 growth, they must not only grow but mature their wood in 

 a few months. They ought, therefore, to have a more than 

 ordinary share of nourishment, as much as they can 

 possibly assimilate ; with this object two things are of 

 importance, the composition of the soil and the after- 

 feeding, and the one to a great extent with a view to the 



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