AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 453 



This being done, and not before, open a small hole in the cen- 

 tre with your hand or a trowel, and set the plant in, an inch 

 or two deeper than it has previously stood, or if it be a root not 

 yet grown, set the crown the same depth below the surface, 

 press the earth firmly about it, level the surface nicely, and it 

 is in order. 



At every six inches of its subsequent growth tie the main 

 stem carefully, but not tightly, to the stake with strong bass- 

 mat strips or cotton wick, colored if you prefer it. Hoe often 

 around it while young, and nip the side shoots entirely, but 

 not the stem-leaves, from the two lower joints of the stem. 

 As the other side shoots grow, put an outer band or two around 

 them, not binding them out of their natural position unless 

 you wish to, but staying them against winds. Nineteen twen- 

 tieths of your flowers will be due to your stakes and bands. 



In the course of the season, when buds are forming freely, 

 give them one or two dressings of liquid manure, and, if a 

 drought occurs at this period, mulch them thickly. When the 

 frost kills the foliage, hill a little earth around the plants if 

 they are not mulched, and let them stand until the near ap- 

 proach of winter ; then, in the morning of a fine dry day, cut 

 off the tops, take them up, and, having shaken the earth from 

 them, let them stand to dry for a few hours ; then, carefully 

 labeling each, put them into a barrel, and in a few days cover 

 them over with a little straw and earth, or set them compact- 

 ly upon the floor of a dry, cool cellar, and cover them lightly 

 with earth or sand. 



Just at the opening of spring, and not too early, take them 

 out and set them close together, but singly, m a light hot bed, 

 or immediately upon a few inches of warm manure, or in a 

 warm spot without manure ; cover them just over the crowns 

 with good earth ; keep them well watered, and shield them 

 with a blanket or other defense from cold nights and storms. 



When they have sprouted three or four inches, take them out 

 on a warm day, and cut them apart, splitting first right through 

 the centre of the old stem. Leave no more than one shoot to a 

 plant, making cuttings of any surplus shoots. If you do not 

 wish to divide the entire plant at once, uncover the crown 



