54 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



of the shoots must be given regular attention, and during 

 the height of the growing season once a week is not too 

 often to do this work. Do not make the ties too tight as 

 Chrysanthemum shoots swell very fast. Never twist the 

 matting round the stake, but secure the shoot and the 

 stake in the one loop round, and by allowing half an inch 

 between stake and shoot it will give sufficient play and the 

 matting will run up the stake as the point of the shoot grows. 



WATERING AND FEEDING JAPANESE 

 CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



In the early stages be very careful with the water- 

 pot and only water when the plant actually requires more 

 moisture. This can be determined by gently tapping each 

 pot with a piece of soft wood in the form of a very small 

 mallet about the size of an ordinary cotton reel and if it 

 is of soft wood the pots will not ring unless they are dry. 



I always water Chrysanthemums through a coarse rose, 

 that distributes the water evenly over the surface of the soil 

 and keeps it even and firm without exposing any of the 

 roots to the sun, which often occurs when they are 

 carelessly watered direct with the spout of the can, much 

 to the detriment of the plant. 



As the plants continue to develop it will be necessary 

 to examine them at least twice a day for water, about 10 A.M. 

 and 3 P.M., in the morning to water those that would not 

 pass through the day without suffering, and in the after- 

 noon to give what may be termed a more general watering. 

 There may be times when, through stress of work, the 

 plants may be overlooked and get excessively dry. If 

 flagging occurs after such neglect a slight spraying over- 



