66 Chrysanthemum Culture for America. 



It must not be understood that the first flower bud that 

 forms is the one to be retained, as many varieties produce 

 what is known as the summer bud that generally shows itself 

 in May. When first seen, it usually has three vigorous shoots 

 around it. This bud is useless and should be removed as 

 soon as it appears ; if allowed to develop, the plants stop 

 growth for a time, and the formation of the next buds will be 

 delayed. Some varieties, such as Grandiflorum, and others, 

 must not be pinched too late or they will not bloom at all. 

 When the summer bud is removed several shoots will appear 

 below it, and as many may be left as is thought expedient, 

 the variety and strength of the plant alone determining this. 

 Each of these shoots thus formed, will show another bud 

 which is termed the crown bud, and is the one most likely to 

 produce the finest flowers, if it shows itself at the proper time. 

 Occasionally these buds appear in July, and are known as the 

 July buds, but these are too early, and will produce only 

 imperfect or badly shaped flowers. It is best to remove all 

 buds that appear in July, as by so doing the plants will be 

 induced to make further growth, upon all of which buds will 

 appear about the last week in August or first week in Septem- 

 ber. These are the ones to be selected, and the buds that 

 make the finest blooms. When the buds, are selected, all the 

 after growths and small buds that appear in the axils of the 

 leaves should be removed, as they detract from the progress 

 of the selected buds, and could not by any means develop in 

 time to lend any additional charm to the plants during their 

 early blooming period. If bushy plants are desired, the ten- 

 der shoots must be carefully tied down before the growth 

 matures sufficiently to make it brittle, when it easily breaks. 

 After all the shoots are carefully tied down, the plants will 

 develop, as they grow, into the form provided for in the first 

 tying down of the branches. In tying, care must be taken 

 that the loops that hold the branches are not too tight to move 



