COMMERCIAL FLOWERS 27 



place early in July, and 30 days later the second top-dressing may be ap- 

 plied. If the planting does not occur until the first week of 

 June, we would advise giving the first top dressing second or third 

 week of July, and second the third week of August, provided the plants 

 are in a healthy, active state and appear to need further encouragement. 



While top-dressing is very beneficial, it has oiie disadvantage, and 

 that is covering the soil so its condition cannot be readily determined by 

 the eye. Some use three inches of top-dressing and apply it all at once. 

 Watering under such conditions and do justice to the stock is difficult, as 

 it must be done by guess or the soil under the dressing be carefully exam- 

 ined ; it may be dry in places and wet in others. By making the manure 

 fine, adding and thoroughly mixing an equal amount of loam, will furnish 

 material for an excellent dressing. This can be easily distributed on the 

 benches any desired thickness, in accordance with the needs of the variety 

 being treated, or in consistency with the strength of the material used. 



If sheep manure is used one inch of this mixture is ample for the 

 vigorous kinds and less for the weak ones. When horse or cow manure 

 is used 1% inches will be about right. This should be firmed down to 

 come in close contact with the soil. In this way the dry spots will be 

 come apparent on the surface of the beds, which is the only object of this 

 process. 



If fine manure is not at hand and that of a coarse nature is substi- 

 tuted, it should be placed between the rows leaving some space next to the 

 plants uncovered so the condition of the soil can be detected at a glance. 



Removing Stools Plants that have been top-dressed soon throw up 

 stools or suckers from the ground. These should be removed as soon as 

 they appear, care being taken not to injure the roots in so doing. This 

 operation should be repeated from time to time as necessity demands. 



Buds In this branch of chrysanthemum culture there is little neces- 

 sity that any great knowledge be acquired regarding the two forms of 

 buds, crown and terminals. 



Those interested in this subject see buds and disbudding next chapter. 



It matters little whether the bud selected is crown or terminal. The 

 important knowledge to acquire is, what date gives the best flower. 



The bulk of chrysanthemums planted for commercial use do not set 

 early crowns, owing to late planting. Some make second crowns late in 

 August, and those planted in July give terminals in September and Octo- 

 ber. 



It is -for this reason the mastery of these obscure terms are unes- 

 sential* 



All that the Commercial grower needs to know regarding this subject 

 may be summed as follows : Buds of Early varieties planted during May 

 and June should be selected from August 10th to 25th. 



Midseason kinds Aug. 25th to Sept. 10th and the late sorts, Sept. 20th 

 to Oct. 10, according to when the buds are 'apparent arid of sufficient 

 size to admit of disbudding. 



The dates given are resultant of many years' records and adequate. 



