THE HEART OF THE YEAR 



interesting stage — the stage when it may be expected 

 to make its second break and commence producing 

 its crown buds. Let us recapitulate the stages : First 

 there was that of inserting the cuttings. Then there 

 was the repotting. Then there was the "first break." 

 Then there was the final potting and the standing 

 out of doors for the summer. We have seen that the 

 prize bloom plant produces a flower bud in April or 

 May, and breaks into 

 three shoots. That is 

 the " first break." The 

 bud is picked off, the 

 shoots are kept. Pre- 

 sently each of them 

 produces a fiower bud, 

 and breaks into three 

 shoots the same as the 

 original stem did. This 

 is the " second break.'' 

 The flower buds so 

 produced are "crown " 

 buds. This second 

 break may come at 

 the right time for the 

 grower or it may not. 

 If he asks how he shall 

 know whether the time 

 is right or not, the only possible answer (for it is impossible 

 to give a general reply) is, that the peculiarities of the 

 different sorts which are being grown must be ascertained. 

 In a collection of fifty varieties there might be a dozen 

 variations. These constitute alike the difficulty and the 

 interest of growing prize Chrysanthemums. One cannot 

 lump all the sorts together for a common course of 

 289 T 



July 

 16-31 



Fig. 52.— Taking Crown Buds off 

 Chrysanthemums. 



a. The crown bud. 



b. Side shoots to be removed. 



