52 Chrysanthemum Culture for America. 



is desired, all the shoots may be allowed to grow. In a short 

 time there will appear from four to six shoots below the first 

 one pinched out. These must also be stopped when from 

 four to five inches long and the operation continued until the 

 first of August, after which every shoot may be allowed to 

 grow without further pinching back. In stopping the differ- 

 ent shoots, always bear in mind the desired future shape of the 

 plant. Loop the different shoots singly up to the main stake, 

 using a separate string for each shoot, not tying them v all 

 together like a wheat-sheaf. Later in the season more stakes 

 will be necessary, as the branches will need to spread out so 

 that the air can circulate freely through them and induce their 

 proper development. In putting in the stakes, place them as 

 close to the stem as possible, letting them incline outward. 

 This is done to have the base of the stakes within the earth 

 which will form the ball of the plant when potted, thus avoid- 

 ing the danger of breaking the plant by removing the stakes 

 during the operation. 



At all times during the summer the ground around the 

 plants should be kept clean and well worked, never allowing 

 it to become baked. Water always in dry weather ; chrysan- 

 themums should never be allowed to suffer for want of water. 

 This is best accomplished by making a little basin with soil 

 around the stem of the plant, to prevent the water from run- 

 ning away when poured on, and causing it to soak in directly 

 over the roots, where it will do the most good. A better plan, 

 perhaps, where the supply of water is abundant and many 

 plants grown, is to place* them in trenches that can be irri- 

 gated at will. Through the intense heat of July and August 

 a little mulch of grass or litter may be thrown over the sur- 

 face of the ground, close to the stem, to prevent the roots from 

 drying out too rapidly. 



The soil for chrysanthemums, when in pots, is a matter 

 which demands considerable attention. To many growers, 



