ON THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 103 



When growth starts it may be assumed the roots have 

 formed and a little more water may be given, but still care 

 should be taken to avoid keeping the soil sodden. Air 

 may be admitted to the plants, and they should be put 

 close to the glass. The best place for them is an 

 unheated frame. When they have filled the pots with 

 roots they may be planted out. 



Soil. The ordinary soil of most gardens suits Chrys- 

 anthemums very well, as they are not fastidious plants ; 

 but that is no reason why special provision should not 

 be made to get them at their best. If the soil is very 

 stiff it may be improved by the addition of leaf mould, 

 road sweepings, or lime rubbish. These materials will 

 lighten and enrich the ground simultaneously. In add- 

 ing them, take the opportunity of digging deeply, breaking 

 up the subsoil in the process. This will lead to increased 

 vigour of plant and finer quality of bloom. If the soil is 

 light, a liberal dressing of decayed manure will be the 

 best addition to it. 



There is not a great difference in the height of the 

 varieties of early garden Chrysanthemums. They grow 

 from two to three feet high in most cases, and the habit 

 is compact ; consequently they are plants for the front 

 and middle of borders rather than the back. Groups 

 of three can be set here and there in large borders, 

 so placing them in association with earlier-blooming 

 plants that they carry on the display of flowers, not 

 putting them with late Phloxes, Michaelmas Daisies, and 

 Sunflowers, and so having a part of the border full and 

 a part bare. In small borders the plants can be put 

 singly. 



They will not call for a great deal of attention through 

 the summer. If the soil is hoed regularly, and a pail 

 of water is given occasionally in dry weather, they will 



