ON THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 101 



bedding was in vogue, but it is not much used now. It 

 was raised from seed sown in heat in spring, and when 

 planted out was kept low and compact by being cropped 

 with ringer and thumb every few days. 



The Marguerites of our flower-gardens and window- 

 boxes are Chrysanthemums, and their free blooming, 

 duration, and neat habit render them extremely service- 

 able. They are propagated by cuttings in spring or 

 autumn, and thrive in ordinary potting soil. 



The hardy annual Chrysanthemums, double and 

 single, are desirable, as they flower in a few weeks 

 from seed sown outdoors in spring, and are suitable 

 for cutting. They have come from the two old species 

 carinatum (tricolor) and coronarium, the former of which 

 had purple and white flowers, the latter yellow. Bur- 

 ridgeanum, Lord Beaconsfield, Morning Star, and W. E. 

 Gladstone are popular varieties of carinatum. Segetum, 

 the Corn Marigold, is also a hardy annual, and improved 

 forms are grown in gardens, notably grandiflorum. 



The genus Chrysanthemum is not a large one, but 

 when we survey the florists' varieties, the summer 

 annuals and perennials, and the Marguerites, we recognise 

 that it is in every way a remarkable one. It would go 

 ill with flower-lovers now if they had to do without it. 



Having considered the scope of the genus, and picked 

 out some of the best of the good things which it gives 

 us, we may deal with the culture of the florists' section. 



Hardiness. From time to time questions are asked, 

 and discussions arise, as to the hardiness of Chrysan- 

 themums. This is hardly worthy of argument except 

 on an academic basis, because it is a simple matter to 

 procure a few fresh cuttings, rooted or unrooted, every 

 spring ; and when new plants can be bought for a penny 

 or twopence each, it is hardly worth while to keep old 



