COMMERCIAL FLOWERS 23 



Those who prefer to do watering and spraying in one operation should 

 walk backward, watering the dry spots as they appear and then do the 

 spraying. If the spray reaches the dry spots their identity is lost and thus 

 are passed by without fully saturating. 



Spraying Spraying overhead will be necessary to keep Red Spiders 

 in check, which are very hard to control. This process will require some 

 judgment, for if repeated too often or late in the day it is apt to cause 

 rust and other diseases. There is not so much danger during the hot sum- 

 mer months, but from August 15th to flowering time no water should be 

 applied after 3 p. m., so that the plants will be perfectly dry by night. 

 (See diseases.) 



Airing The chrysanthemum does not enjoy a close, stuffy atmosphere, 

 hence an abundance of air during the growing season is important 



Not only during the day but night also, at all times unless the build- 

 ing is in jeopardy from approachingg violent storms. 



Shading A few years ago it was considered necessary to give a light 

 shading through the summer months to Chrysanthemums planted under 

 glass. This is hardly necessary in most localities, as shorter jointed plants 

 and firmer wood result from full exposure to the sun. 



At the approach of color it is quite important the pink and red varie- 

 ties be partly shaded from the direct rays of the sun, as these colors seem 

 to be easily faded. There may be localities where this would be unneces- 

 sary, but in the middle states it often continues warm and bright into 

 October and such precaution is necessary to secure color of the highest 

 degree. 



Scalding After a few days of dull weather (which makes the growth 

 unusually soft), followed by very bright sun, the young tips sometimes 

 scald or burn. In such cases use every effort to prevent them from wilting. 

 Frequent spraying will keep the atmosphere charged with moisture and 

 be very beneficial. Should this fall, apply a li.^ht shading of clay to the 

 glass. This is prepared by adding sufficient clay to water to make it 

 muddy and applied by spraying over the roof. It is unwise to use a per- 

 manent shading, and the one suggested will disappear with the first shower 

 or by spraying. 



Feeding All plants are sustained by the constituents of the soil of 

 which Nitrogen, Potash and Phosphoric Acid are the chief elements. 



What effect each of these factors have upon the construction of the 

 plant and its floreseent need not be discussed at this time. When these 

 nutritive ingredients are exhausted, liquid applications are given to supply 

 their needs and it is this operation to which the term feeding is usually 

 applied. The effect of such applications are revealed by the appearance 

 of the plants and the resultant flowers thus produced. From this it is evi- 

 dent that what actually takes place in this construction of plant life is very 

 obscure, hence we must be governed wholly by observance, determining 

 their needs by what is presented to us in their growth. 



There are several ways to reach this desired end, viz : first top dressing 



