60 



SMITH'S CHRYSANTHEMUM MANUAL 



ing the blooms while being wrapped. Beginning at one end of the box 

 place a roll of excelsior or 8 inches from the end. The helper takes a 

 bloom and holding it head down the packer slides the cut tissue paper 

 around the stem, draws the edges downward giving the corners a few 

 turns with the thumb and finger to keep in position. See Figs. 27 and 28. 



It is difficult to say how tight the blooms should be wrapped, much de- 

 pends upon their form and condition. Those of the reflexed type, like 

 Viviand Morel and Yanariva, may be rolled moderately close without 

 injury, while such varieties as Mrs. H. Robinson and Col. D. Appleton, 

 should be given a little more freedom. After a little experience the 

 packer will determine at a glance how tight. 



It is then placed in the box allowing the neck of the flower to rest 

 on the roll of excelsior, the object being to prevent outer petals being 



FIG. 31. BLOOMS PROPERLY PACKED. 



bruised. It is wise to select the largest blooms and those having the 

 longest stems for the end of the box. This operation is repeated until 

 the first row across the box is completed and the packing is continued in 

 the same manner until the third row is finished. See Fig. 29. 



One or more wet newspapers should be laid over the. foliage. Over 

 these a wooden cleat is placed, pressing the stems down firm and nailing 

 securely from the outside of the box into the end of the cleat, so they 

 can not shift. The cleats should be placed far enough from the blooms 

 so the next tier will not rest upon them and thus be injured. The pack- 

 ing is continued until the blooms cover about one-third of the box, then 

 begin at the other end. and proceed in the same manner. 



In warm weather it is advisable to well moisten the foliage, the aim 

 being to keep the foliage wet and the blooms dry. Some prefer not to 



