young plants from florists or nurserymen. Only varieties suitable for 

 pot plants should be purchased. 



Pinching 



To develop a well-branched plant, it is necessary to pinch off the 

 tip growths regularly while the plant is growing in the garden. As soon 

 as the plant becomes established and resumes growth, it should be pinched 

 back to two or three inches from the soil level. This early pinching is 

 one of the most important operations in developing the framework for 

 a well-shaped pot plant. Soon after the first pinching .three to four 

 branches should start. After these branches have grown five or six leaves, 

 they should be pinched back to about three leaves each. Subsequent 

 pinching is necessary on branches that tend to grow too rapidly or as 

 branches grow out five or six leaves from their origin. It is well to go 

 over plants once a week until the time for potting and pinch any that 

 are long enough. 



Miscellaneous summer care 



Chrysanthemum plants should be set in the best garden soil avail- 

 able. As they are heavy feeders they benefit from side dressing wkh 

 plant food. A level tablespoon of 5-8-7, or similar fertilizer, worked in- 

 to the soil around plants is a suitable application following the first 

 pinching. A half handful of fertilizer worked into the soil in a band six 

 inches to one foot from the stem of the plant following the second 

 pinching will be sufficient. Additional water should be supplied in the 

 event of dry weather. 



Potting 



It is best to pot the early blooming hardy chrysanthemums before 

 the buds show color. For best results later blooming varieties should 

 be potted not later than August 15-20. A mixture of about two parts 

 good compost soil and one part well-rotted manure will make a good 

 potting soil. A heaping tablespoon of 5-8-7, or similar fertilizer, mixed 

 thoroughly with each gallon of soil mixture will be beneficial. Plants 

 should be lifted from the garden with as large a ball of soil as possible 

 and the excess soil carefully worked off. By mid-August a plant of seven 

 inches in diameter will require a pot or tub about the same size (Fig. 

 14B) since most of the growth after potting is upward. If properly 

 grown to this time, plants should be wider than tall. 



After potting and soaking thoroughly with water, plants should be 

 set in a cool, shaded place for a week. Additional water may not be re- 

 quired during this time. After a week new root growth will begin and 

 plants may be gradually given full sun. Slight wilting during this time 

 is not dangerous, but severe wilting may result in loss of the lower leaves. 

 Too much water will give about the same results as a lack of it, causing 

 the plant to take on a light color and eventually wilt. As soon as plants 

 go into pots it is well to water by soaking the soil thoroughly, then wait 

 until soil is slightly dry to the touch before watering again. 



Plants may be placed in any convenient place out-of-doors in full 

 sun until danger of severe frosts. The important thing is that they should 

 not be neglected. Barring severely cold weather most varieties may be 

 grown in a coldframe until the buds begin to show color, at which time 

 they are ready for the house. Some growers who have tried this 



Twenty-nine 



