CARE OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS 159 



practical suggestions concerning the feeding and care of the chrysan- 

 themum during the building of bloom, which may be helpful. 



Perhaps no plant will show neglect more plainly than the chrysan- 

 themum, and one or two weeks of neglect will finish them. That is, 

 they will not make large, perfect flowers, even if you keep up a good 

 treatment afterwards. If you let the plants dry out at the root they 

 become hard-wooded and inferior flowers are the consequence. During 

 the early period of growth the plants should not be kept too wet, yet 

 never let the roots get dry. After the last topping water copiously. 

 It is well to wash with the sprinkler the dust from the leaves about 

 once a week; do this at the close of the day. Adobe soil will not stand 

 so much watering as loamy soil. Judgment must, of course, be used. 



All plants should be carefully staked and securely tied in several 

 places so that there is no danger of stems being broken by the wind 

 or otherwise. Builders' lath may be used, or "shakes" split into narrow 

 strips answer very well. The plants look neater if not tied with twine 

 or strips of cloth. Strings of rafia, or a strip of New Zealand flax, or 

 of dracaena leaf, as described in Chapter XI, are very satisfactory. 



Water freely, and occasionally with liquid manure, which may be 

 made in this way: In a large tub or cistern, place one bushel of soot, 

 tied securely in a thin bag, and one barrelful each of fresh cow and 

 horse manure; fill with soft water. Dilute to the color of weak tea. 

 Occasionally give them a change of weak poultry-manure water. Arti- 

 ficial fertilization should be kept up at intervals of a week and stopped 

 only when the first buds begin to show color. After this stage no 

 fertilization is required; in fact, is injurious, but the water supply must 

 be frequent and copious. 



Nitrate of soda, as described on page 33, is available. Sulphate of 

 ammonia is also used commencing at a quarter of an ounce and in- 

 creasing to half an ounce to a gallon of water, is safe, and may be 

 given twice a week, or three times to extra-strong plants. This is the 

 cleanest and least offensive process of manuring the plants. 



After the Battle. When the chrysanthemum has done flowering, 

 leave the plant in the place where it grew until spring, to furnish you 

 with slips for next years's growth. After you have taken all the slips 

 you want, dig up the old plant and throw it away, for it is of no further 

 value. 



