36 



SMITH'S CHRYSANTHEMUM MANUAL, 



ter. It is impossible to give explicit directions as all depends upon the 

 condition under which the plants are grown and for this reason it is 

 difficult to impart this knowledge to others with any degree of accuracy. 



The chrysanthemum, unlike most plants grown under glass, has its 

 season of growth and its season of flowering, hence our object is to pro- 

 duce good, healthy growth and concentrate all energies to the develop- 

 ment of the flower. Some varieties will stand much more food than 

 others and profit thereby. To reach the acme with all varieties, the 

 grower must be familiar with the special requirements of each, knowing 

 when to stop feeding his variety and increase the application upon 

 another. 



It is but a step from success to failure, and so it is in these days 

 of close competition, the expert wins out in one class and his opponent 

 defeats him in the next; each having brought their exhibits to the high- 

 est degree of perfection in one case, and a trifle faulty in the other. 



FIG. 17. BUD PROPERLY EXPAND- 

 ING. 



FIG. 18. BUDS DISTORTED FROM EXCES- 

 SIVE FOOD. 



Feeding is generally continued until the buds begin to burst and show 

 color, and some growers do not discontinue until the flowers are half 

 developed. But if such a course is followed we would advise diluting the 

 application to one-half the strength used when the plants are in an 

 active growing state. We must . remember that after buds are formed, 

 the growth, so far as the plant is concerned, is at an end, and whatever 



