AND COi^'SEIlYATUEr. 105 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE CnRTSAXTHEMUil. 



The clirysanthemum is usually regarded as a Lardy border 

 flower which may be left to itself to grow as a weed, or at least 

 to have no more aid thau an ugly stake to which it is roughly 

 tied to save it from being blown into rags by the gales of 

 autumn. But when carefully cultivated for the decoration of 

 the conservatory it is one of the finest plants in the English 

 garden, and may be employed in a variety of ways at a time 

 when flowers are exceedingly scarce. 



In the gloomy months of iN'ovember and December, when 

 the chrysanthemum is in its prime, gaslight entertainments 

 begin to assume increased importance, and many of these 

 might be considerably enriched by the aid of these noble 

 flowers. The poiusettia and the solauum are charming things 

 for gaslight decoration, but the chrysanthemum aflords endless 

 variety at an extravagantly cheap rate ; and in a private eu- 

 trance-hall, a concert-room, a bazaar, or the covered approaches 

 to any place of public resort, a bank of chrysanthemums 

 oftords a brilliant welcome and a grand accompaniment to any 

 kind of festivity, because every known variety appears to 

 advantage under gaslight. 



The chrysanthemum being strictly herbaceous, properly falls 

 into this place in the order of our work, but its importance 

 eutitles it to a separate chapter, and our business will be to 

 ])X"ovide a comprehensive chapter, for we can aftord but little 

 space for a large subject. 



The chrysanthemum will grow in any good garden soil, but 

 when grown in pots should have a rich and substantial loamy 

 compost and at every stage the pots must be well drained, for 

 ]f the soil becomes pasty, the plants will make no progress. 

 AVhen it is intended to grow great exhibition specmiens, 

 cuttings must be started in November, but nice plants for the 

 conservatory may be obtained from cuttings started in Feb- 



