6 SMITH'S CHRYSANTHEMUM MANUAL, 



extend below the end of the cutting, which should firmly rest on the sand 

 when inserted in the bed. See C, Fig. 2. It requires more time to produce 



FIG. 2. CUTTINGS A, LONG : B, SHORT ; C, SINGLE EYE. 



good plants by this system then where fair-sized cuttings are taken, but 

 is often of service when stock is limited. 



Air and Temperati^re The propagating house should be well aired, 

 and as far as possible the atmospheric temperature should not exceed 55 

 degrees, with a bottom heat of 10 degrees higher. 



The Chrysanthemum is so susceptible of being rooted that no fast rule 

 can be given. They may be struck in a temperature as low as 40 and as 

 high as 80 degrees, but if the former is adopted they root very slowly, 

 many varieties become hardened and thus the object is defeated. On the 

 ether hand, if too high temperature is used, cutting bench fungus is liable 

 to set in and ruin the crop. 



Shading As the season advances and the outdoor temperature rises, 

 it is impossible to maintain 55 degrees, and the soft cuttings are very 

 much inclined to flag or wilt. For this purpose we use a light wrapping 

 paper, in rolls 30 inches wide, which is given a coat of linseed oil and 

 then tacked to the sash bars of the house. This shading being semi-trans- 

 parent, gives satisfactory results throughout the propagating season. 



In case of an excessive bright and hot spell, whitewash or any other 

 good shading material should be applied to the outside of the glass. Let 

 the condition of cuttings be index for shading, but use every precaution 

 necessary to prevent wilting, exclude light by covering and dampen the 

 walks to lower the temperature. 



Watering It is very important that cuttings should never get dry, 

 tor under such conditions the end inserted in the sand becomes brown and 

 hardened and will not take up water in sufficient quantity to revive the 

 'foliage, and thus becomes worthless. Many of the wholesale florists pro- 

 pagate Chrysanthemums the year round, although the bulk are struck from 

 March to July. 



