DRESSING INCURVEDS 79 



train them immediately under the glass when inside, for 

 the purpose of getting the blooms to hang down this, 

 so it is thought, tends to a better shape. But I hold 

 that as it makes the flower stem curl there is a difficulty 

 when the blooms are cut for exhibition, even cupping 

 being very difficult to manage after training in this manner. 

 I favour therefore a perfectly upright position for the 

 flowers. 



The Incurved varieties generally do not p:e much 

 fire heat, this tending to reflex the florets in many 

 varieties. They will expand very well in a temperature 

 of about 50, and plenty of air without cold draughts 

 must be admitted on all favourable occasions. 



DRESSING THE FLOWERS 



When Incurved blooms are to be exhibited, consider- 

 able attention must be given to them during the time they 

 are expanding. Formerly this dressing was done after the 

 blooms were cut, but by far the better plan is to see to it 

 while the blooms are developing on the plant. Tweezers 

 (preferably steel) may be obtained from any Chrysanthe- 

 mum specialist for the purpose of pulling out all the small 

 and badly formed florets that would prevent the other 

 florets developing properly or falling in their natural 

 position in the flower. 



This little matter must be commenced when the blooms 

 are about half open, going over the flowers every two 

 or three days, but it is necessary to be very light in the 

 touch, as a clumsy performer may soon spoil many 

 flowers by bruising the florets. When about three parts 

 open extra pains should be taken with the centre of 



