100 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



firm texture as to retain themselves well in their places. 4, 

 The flowers to be large in proportion to the foliage, but the 

 size only to be considered when plants are in all other 

 respects equal. 5. The colour, if a self, is superior in pro- 

 portion to its purity and brightness ; if the colours are more 

 than one they should be well defined and distinct. The 

 worst of all colours are those which are mixed or clouded 

 together ; and we are inclined to place more than usual 

 emphasis upon colour in the case of the Chrysanthemum,, 

 because many flowers now admitted even into exhibition 

 stands are odious in this respect. We have given no rule* 

 for judging either the quilled m the tasselled varieties, because 

 these should never be admitted to be shown, except in a 

 separate class, as " Fancy Chrysanthemums." 



Soil. Chrysanthemums thrive best in good fresh loamy 

 soil two parts, and one of well decomposed manure. When 

 grown in pots they must be kept liberally supplied with 

 water and weak liquid manure once a week while growing 

 vigorously. Water must not, however, be allowed to 

 stagnate about the roots. Watering overhead in the evening 

 will be beneficial. In potting care must be taken that there 

 is proper drainage. The pots should be plunged half their 

 depth in coal ashes, or even earth. This will keep the 

 plants steady and the roots cool. The best position to 

 arrange them in is a single row in a sheltered position but 

 not shaded, with a foot of space between the pots. 



Propagation : by Cuttings. The best are made of the 

 young tops an inch long ; and the best time is in August or 

 September. They may be managed in two ways either 

 put them singly into two-inch pots, or place a number round 

 the inside of a five-inch pot. Use sandy loam to strike 

 them in ; they may also be struck in beds in the open 

 ground. Place them in a frame and shade them from the 

 sun for a few days. They will quickly root, and should then 

 be potted off, and replaced in the frame, if in five-inch pots ; 

 but if singly in small pots they may be placed out of doors 

 as soon as they are rooted, and repotted when the pots are 

 filled with roots. 



Chrysanthemum blooms may be grown to a great size by 

 planting in rich soil, and thinning out all the branches but 

 one or two well-selected stems, and removing all side shoots 



