320 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Chrysanthemum continued. 



numerous varieties in this section. Examples : Chinaman 

 (see Fig. 440), Fair Maid, of Guernsey, James Salter, and 

 Peter the Great. 



In the select list of varieties, representatives of all the 

 various forms of flowers in the Japanese section are 

 included under the one heading. 



Fio. 438. QUILLED POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUM MODEL OF 

 PERFECTION. 



PROPAGATION. This may be effected by seeds, cuttings, 

 suckers, or root divisions. The annual varieties are 

 increased by seeds only, which should be sown in pots, 

 in February or March, or outside. New varieties are 

 sometimes obtained by sowing the seeds of the finer 



FIG. 439. JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUM BED DRAGON. 



sores. When any distinct or improved form " sports " 

 from the original stock, it may be readily perpetuated by 

 cuttings. 



Seed should be sown in February or March, preferably 

 the former. If slightly covered over, and placed in a warm 



Chrysanthemum continued. 



temperature, they will readily germinate. If the seedlings 

 are pricked off at once and placed near the glass, good 

 plants will soon be obtained. By the middle of May, they 

 may either be planted out of doors, to prove their worth, 

 or in pots till they flower, which will be the first year. 

 As the cultivated varieties are now so very numerous, 

 propagation from seed is seldom resorted to, except with 

 the annual section. 



Cuttings may be inserted at any time from October to 

 May. The best are made of the young shoots that start 

 from the base of the plant. Any of the tips of these will, 

 however, root readily. A gentle bottom heat facilitates 

 rooting ; but a close pit or frame will answer without 

 bottom heat. Cuttings should be inserted either singly 

 in small pots, or several in a large one, in sandy soil. 

 As soon as rooted, they should be shifted into single pots. 

 When the plants are established in their first pots, the 

 points should be nipped out, in order to induce a bushy 

 and compact growth. 



Suckers. These differ from the foregoing in being already 

 rooted, or nearly so. They should be potted singly, in 



FIG. 440. JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUM CHINAMAN. 



sandy soil, and kept rather close, till new roots are formed. 

 Suckers are preferred by many for standard plants, as they 

 are generally stronger than cuttings, and more fitted to 

 form a good stem. They may also be pinched, to form 

 bush plants. 



Divisions of Root or Stool. This is a quick and ready 

 method of increasing the stock for outside culture, for 

 which purpose it is very commonly adopted. February 

 and March are the best time for the operation. The extent 

 to which the plants should be divided depends on the 

 purpose for which they are required. For outside culture, 

 stools may be cut up into three, five, or more pieces. 



GENERAL CULTIVATION. Nearly every grower has 

 his own particular time for the insertion of cuttings. 

 The season ranges from October to March, but Novem- 

 ber and December are the two most popular months. 

 As soon as the cuttings are rooted, they should be potted 

 off, and receive no check from the commencement until 

 they have flowered. This may be said to be the very basis 

 of the highest success in the culture of Chrysanthemums. 

 To prevent any check, some growers insert the cuttings 

 separately in pots, which is a very good plan, as each, 

 under favourable conditions, is almost sure to root, and the 



