CHAPTER IX. 



BLOOMS GROWN OUT-OF-DOORS* 



It is not to be presumed that success can be achieved in exhibition 

 tolooins grown out-of-doors, where very cold weather creeps into the lap of 

 Autumn, or severe frosts and freezing weather may be expected during 

 the month of November; therefore, it should hardly be attempted in 

 other than the southern states. The best location in the garden for this 

 purpose should be one protected as much as possible from storms, blowing 

 rains and winds, and all the better if a spot 30 to 40 feet square can be 

 selected, and a 6-foot close-board fence built all around. 



It is a mistake to set out plants for this purpose earlier than May, 

 and even as late as June, although many growers are in the habit of 

 commencing earlier. The results they have at blooming time are great 

 tall plants, inclined to be spindling and not of that sturdy, stocky nature 

 ^hicli invariably produces the better blooms. Besides they have worked 

 a month or more at their plants that is wholly unnecessary. 



Soil should be of a stiff rather than loamy character, liberally fertil- 

 ized with manure from the cow lot, which will make it sufficiently rich 

 and porous for a beginning. Beds should be parallel, three feet wide, 

 with two-foot walks between and raised six inches, that drainage may 

 be had at all times. It is well to box in the beds with boards six inches 

 wide, and use a few inches of gravel for the walks between the beds. 

 Two rows of plants 12 inches apart in the rows are proper distances for 

 setting out in the beds. Get them straight and uniform, and have a few 

 surplus plants in case any should die or fail to start off properly, that 

 the rank and file may be in no instance broken. 



Do not use too many varieties, and have at least a row of each kind, 

 selecting those in preference that have been prize takers at the principal 

 ftower shows. A plant will make three exhibition blooms of as good 

 quality if well fertilized as it w r ill one, so after pinching off the end when 

 the plant is 12 inches high, allow but three well-selected limbs to grow, 

 and no more during the entire life of the plant, with the object of one 

 bloom to the limb, or three to each plant. The best means of staking and 

 tying is the wire fence method. Place stout stakes as tall as the plants 

 will grow, eight or ten feet apart in the row, stretch wire, fence-fashion, 

 to which the plants are tied and repeat this operation as often as re- 

 quired. 



Never allow the beds to become dry, but water and spray the plants 

 each day after sundown, and during August sprinkle with bone-meal 



*S. J. Mitchell, Houston, Texas, who has devoted much time and atten- 

 tion to the chrysanthemum, particularly the subject of exhibiting- and judg- 

 ing, has kindly supplied the foreg^ing article. 



