THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 197 



shoots from which cuttings are to be taken, and it will be essential 

 to keep them from becoming thin, drawn and weakly. This is 

 the reason for removing them from the influence of excessive heat. 



The process of shoot formation may be slow or rapid, according 

 to the nature of each particular variety ; but, if it be slow, there 

 is no necessity for impatience. In due time the shoots will begin 

 to thrust themselves through the surface of the soil, without resort 

 to forcing. If the old stool be examined at this period it will 

 probably be found that while much of the new growth comes from 

 the base of the plant other shoots thrust themselves out from the 

 old stem. These in many cases bear flower-buds at the extremity, 

 and for all practical purposes they may be regarded as utterly 

 useless. They can be " struck," but they will never produce 

 satisfactory flowers. Therefore in taking cuttings the cultivator 

 must devote his attention to encouraging the production of basal 

 shoots which thrust themselves through the soil at some distance 

 from the old stem, as shown in Figure 1 of Diagram 22. If 

 the old pots can be kept in a temperature of not less than 40 

 to 45 they will soon provide plenty of cuttings, and this 

 process will be assisted if the surface soil in the pots be kept free 

 from weeds and if some light sandy soil be spread over it. 



How is it possible, it may be asked, to tell a good from a bad 

 cutting ? Figures 2 and 3 in the diagram may help the reader in 

 his quest. Figure 2 represents an unsatisfactory cutting. It was 

 taken from the stem of an old plant, and though it seems from all 

 outward appearance to bear promise of future satisfactory growth, 

 the promise is illusory. For even though no flower-bud appear 

 at the apex of the shoot, it is probably there in embryo, and will 

 very soon make its presence apparent. This is the kind of shoot to 

 be discarded without remorse. The genuine cutting is that shown 

 in Figure 3. It was taken from a shoot that emerged through 

 the soil at some distance from the stem. In taking a cutting of 

 this kind it is a good plan carefully to remove the surface soil to a 

 depth of a few inches and to detach the cutting beneath the soil. 

 This can easily be done if a sharp knife be used. 



The next process is to trim the cutting by the removal of three 



