42 Chrysanthemum Culture for America. 



a rule the cuttings started in February and March give 

 the finest results. When plants are propagated early, as 

 in November and December, there is a long dormant sea- 

 son through which the young plants are compelled to pass, 

 during which the wood becomes hardened to a dangerous 

 degree, and they also require much labor and attention as 

 well as valuable space for at least two months that might be 

 easily avoided. Florists having a plant trade in the southern 

 states, with a demand for strong young plants in January and 

 February, are almost the only class that would get profitable 

 returns from December propagation. With scarce varieties, 

 however, every cutting rooted is a gain, regardless of the sea- 

 son in which the operation is performed, as, if rooted in 

 December, the top may be taken off in March, and the stock 

 in this way further increased, this plan being followed by most 

 florists who desire to produce a large number of plants, or in 

 establishments where quantity is preferred to quality. On 

 the other hand, other matters will be needing attention in 

 March, and there may not be sufficient time to make a judi- 

 cious selection of varieties, and it is also difficult to obtain 

 shoots in the proper state for cuttings as late as that. By 

 choosing a time between these extremes, as in February, these 

 difficulties are avoided, and the work may be performed with 

 greater satisfaction. 



Many growers imagine that in a place suitable for propaga- 

 tion, bottom heat is required, but in reality there is no occa- 

 sion for it, and those who would be successful should take 

 care that no artificial heat in any form is applied except when 

 absolutely necessary during unusually cold spells. Plants 

 raised in bottom heat rarely produce flowers of fine quality ; 

 while it hastens the process of rooting, the plants are always 

 weak and liable to receive injury where those more hardily 

 reared would remain unharmed. A place where a tempera- 

 ture of forty-five degrees can be maintained, and which is 



