72 MASSACHUSETTS IlOUTICrLTURAL SOCIETY. 



required. The strongest bud should he left at the end, such only 

 being removed as will interfere with its development. 



As to plants intended to bo grown for oxhil»ition, such varieties 

 should be chosen as produce :in aljiindancc of blooms of good color 

 and are of a good healthy habit. 



A plant having a scarcity of blooms or a poor straggling habit 

 can be improved — but can hardly be made presenta])le — by fasten- 

 ing each bloom to its own separate stake. It is true that a cer- 

 tain amount of staking is always unavoidable, but it should never 

 be practised except where absolutel}' necessary. 



The ideal form for a show plant should be one with the height 

 not exceeding the width ; and much less when practicable. I say 

 "when practicable," because there are many beautiful varieties 

 that utterly refuse to be kept down to a low spreading form ; as 

 they throw but ver}" i'ev>- shoots (sometimes only one) when 

 pinched back. Such varieties should be piuchod back as much as 

 possible while very young, so as to secure as many branches near 

 the ground as may be. 



A plant that can be looked down upon, or that has the whole mass 

 of bloom considerably below the level of the eye, is much more 

 satisfactory to the average observer than one with the l)looms 

 much higher, no matter how large the plant may be. A very 

 beautiful form of plant when well grown is the trained standard ; 

 but it is seldom that we see it in perfection. 



In selecting varieties for standards those that have naturally 

 flexible branches should be chosen if an umbrella-shaped head is 

 desired, and such as have very strong and stiff' branches when a 

 compact head is wanted. Avoid those varieties that cannot hold 

 their branches on without the aid of stakes, for they are sure to 

 be the most prominent objects about the plant. If a standard can- 

 not be grown without t! e aid of more than one stake to protect 

 the stem, the time and patience needful for its production had 

 much better be applied to something that will give greater satisfac- 

 tion for the outlay. 



There are three things that should never be denied a growing 

 chrysanthemum plant, viz.: water, sunlight, and fresh air; if 

 either of these is wanting failure is quite sure to be the result. 



Plants for exhibition should always be plainly and correctly 

 named, for our shows are frequented bj' people who come to see 

 what varieties are good and desirable, and to make notes of their 

 names. If a plant is incorrectly named they may not at the time 



