Propagation . 47 



first be studied, and the operations carried on in the manner 

 best suited to the circumstances of the grower. Probably no 

 two growers adopt the same system, although there are a 

 considerable number who practice the art with varying suc- 

 cess in every country where chrysanthemums are grown. In 

 China and Japan the chrysanthemum sheds its seed naturally, 

 and new varieties spring up as they do among self-sown plants 

 in this country. We are not so favored here, as far as we can 

 learn, although on the sunny slopes of California this condi- 

 tion may perhaps exist. 



All seed bearing plants should be grown in pots, small 

 plants being selected, as they are more easily handled. Select 

 the finest bloom and remove the others. The plants when in 

 bloom should be kept in a dry airy greenhouse or pit where they 

 will get plenty of sunlight. If plants are well established and 

 somewhat pot-bound they will bear seed -more freely. Select 

 the finest flower and remove all others, and when in full bloom 

 clip off the flower leaves with a pair of shears, but not so short 

 as to touch the stamens or pistils. The plants to be crossed 

 should then be kept close together, rather dry, and with plenty 

 of light and air, thus providing favorable conditions for wind 

 or insects to assist in pollinating the flowers, as well as for 

 the use of the camel' s-hair brush in artificial pollination. In 

 bright sunny weather, where bees and other flower-hunting 

 insects abound, a good crop of seed may be had by their assis- 

 tance ; but notwithstanding the time and labor required, it is 

 advisable to pollinate the flowers by hand, using a fine brush, 

 in the forenoon of bright sunny days. 



Mr. T. H. Spaulding, of Orange, N. J., who has been very 

 successful, describes his methods as follows : " I take the pol- 

 len from one bloom on a pointed match or quill of a feather 

 and place a little in each petal of the flower to be pollinated, 

 or touch the stamens with it. This I repeat during several 

 successive days, at leisure hours. I think the best plan is to 



