72 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



mentioned above usually made up quite three parts of 

 the stands in competitions. These excellent types have 

 almost died out and present-day favourites are possibly 

 a trifle larger, a little more varied in colour, but hardly 

 so refined in appearance, this being due to the Japanese 

 blood introduced in the cross-breeding. One result of 

 this intermixing of types is that the flowers require a 

 great deal of dressing before they are fit for the exhibi- 

 tion table. 



CULTIVATION OF INCURVED VARIETIES 



The principles of cultivation have been pretty fully 

 dealt with in the chapter on Japanese varieties, and I do 

 not propose to go over the whole ground again. It may 

 be mentioned, however, that the great majority of Incurved 

 varieties produce the most refined blooms from second- 

 crown buds, therefore an early start is desirable, putting 

 the cuttings in during November so that early plants will 

 be obtained and the second-crown buds come right for 

 the exhibitions. 



In regard to the compost, this should differ from that 

 recommended for the Japanese varieties, and though a 

 certain amount of manure is desirable for the latter type, 

 the Incurved varieties generally require none. 



The reader has already noted that there is a certain 

 amount of Japanese blood in present-day Incurved varieties, 

 and that being so, cultivators must use their best endeavours 

 to make it as little apparent as possible by providing a 

 rooting medium not rich in manures but which is likely to 

 promote the formation of numerous fine roots, and wood of 

 firm medium strength, rather than of a gross nature, the 



