44 Chrysanthemum Culture for America, 



propagating singly in pots, the greatest success may be 

 expected, and we would recommend that all specimen and 

 exhibition plants should be rooted in this manner, the extra 

 labor being amply repaid by larger and finer blooms. Where 

 several cuttings are put into a pot, or where rooted in the 

 propagating bed, when the time comes for their separation 

 and potting, the roots must receive some injury, and all 

 checks of this sort must be avoided as far as possible, espe- 

 cially for exhibition plants. 



When the desired number of cuttings is potted, water thor- 

 oughly and then place in the house or frame prepared for 

 their reception. Here they should be kept close and syringed 

 lightly when dry, until rooted, which will usually be indicated 

 by their putting forth new leaves, when air may be admitted 

 gradually on every favorable occasion, and they will also need 

 more water. When the pots are filled with roots they should 

 be shifted into larger pots in a good compost of finely prepared 

 soil. If the cuttings have been placed in the sand of the 

 propagating house, the skilful grower can tell by their fresh 

 and plump appearance when they are rooted without lifting 

 one from the bed to examine. W^hen rooted in this manner 

 they should be potted in about two and one-half inch pots in 

 a mixture of finely pulverized soil. But as they will soon 

 outgrow these pots, the soil for the first potting seldom 

 receives much attention. When potted, if the weather is 

 bright, they should be shaded for a few days and kept slightly 

 sprinkled until they start into vigorous growth. 



In the propagation of the chrysanthemum, the purpose for 

 which the plants are required largely determines which is the 

 best system to follow. All have their advantages and draw- 

 backs alike, so that nearly every grower has his own peculiar 

 method, in which he is particularly successful, and no single 

 method can be universally adopted. The cardinal points, 

 however, are alike everywhere, the minor details alone vary- 



