CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN POTS. 73 



increased by suckers, division of the root, and seed. The 

 seed must be taken from flowers of a fine shape nd bright 

 colour, and sown in February, slightly covered with finely 

 sifted soil. Give them a little heat, gentle watering with a 

 fine rose when dry, and when they get three or four 

 leaves they may be planted singly in small pots, kept 

 in a temperature of 55 to GO , and re-potted whenever 

 they require it. Some will flower the same year. 



You can scarcely give chrysanthemums earth which is 

 too rich : in a mixture of half and half light loam and 

 decayed dung, with a little addition of peat, they will 

 grow and flower well. 



Plants which are intended to bloom in pots should be 

 shifted into good-sized pots in April. For plants grown 

 from the spring cuttings 9-inch pots should be used, and 

 for older plants 12-inch. At every potting, stop the 

 shoots to make the plants grow bushy. The last pot- 

 ting should be in the middle of June ; then and from 

 that time discontinue nipping oft' the ends of the shoots. 

 As the branches grow, tie them out so as to give them 

 room and air ; and with plants intended for exhibition 

 thin the buds that the bloom may be large. While 

 they are in full growth give them plenty of water, and 

 liquid manure once a week. Never let them flag from 

 the first to the end of the flowering, but water, with a 

 rose, over head and all twice a day in hot weather. 

 From May until they flower they should stand on a bed 

 of ashes, or on gravel, in an open situation, and when 

 they begin to flower they may be removed into the 

 house, taking care to give them plenty of room. When 

 the flowering is over, cut down the shoots which have 

 bloomed, place the pots in a cool pit, and give just water 

 enough to keep them alive, until the growing season 

 approaches again. Chrysanthemums are nearly hardy, 

 and do not need much protection, only a covering of a 

 mat or so to keep out severe frost. The old plants 

 which grow unmanageable in pots will be very hand- 

 some in the flower borders, where they will keep up a 

 gay show in autumn. 



There are several pretty showy annual chrysanthe-; 



