196 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



of quilled petals in the centre, and a fringe of long 

 tasselled florets. They form a very pretty section for 

 decorative purposes. 



THE POMPON. Here the flowers are small and globular in 

 shape. There are both single and double varieties, and 

 they are among the earliest chrysanthemums to bloom. 

 The pompons make a dainty section which should be 

 represented in every amateur's collection. 



THE SINGLE. Generally early flowering, and suitable for 

 placing in the border. They possess one or two circles 

 of broad petals and cany a hard button or eye in the 

 centre. 



The whole art of successful chrysanthemum culture consists in 

 affording the plants a long season of growth. For eleven of the 

 twelve months of the year the Autumn Queen demands the 

 assiduous attention of the cultivator. No sooner do one season's 

 flowers go out of bloom than he begins to busy himself in making 

 preparations for the propagation of the plants which a year hence 

 are to fill his greenhouse or conservatory with a gorgeous array 

 of massive flowers of brilliant colour. 



The month of December is the real beginning of the chrysan- 

 themum grower's year, and it is then that he sets about the task 

 of propagation. This applies solely to those growers who are able 

 to afford both their old plants and their young cuttings some 

 protection, either in a greenhouse or in a frost-proof frame, from 

 the rigours of severe weather. The propagation of outdoor 

 chrysanthemums may be deferred until spring is at hand. 



What then should be the procedure to be followed in order to 

 ensure a good supply of cuttings ? The process is simplicity itself. 

 So soon as the last blooms have been removed from the old plants 

 the stems should be cut down to within four inches of the base. 

 The pots may then be placed either in a slightly heated frame or 

 in the coolest quarter of the glasshouse. Here, if they be given a 

 moderate supply of moisture, they will speedily begin to throw up 

 sturdy young shoots from the base of the plant. These are the 



