298 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



treatment for them when we have got home-struck cuttings to 



the same stage. 



Cuttings of Chrysanthemums may be inserted from November 

 to July for flowering in the following autumn. This is a long 

 period, and provides a considerable amount of latitude. But there 

 is not much for the person who wishes to produce cut blooms 

 of the highest exhibition quality. He must allow his plants the 

 better part of a year. The leading exhibitors strike cuttings in 

 November for winning silver cups in the following November. 



Those who do not want to exhibit, and 

 are hampered by want of glass accom- 

 modation, need not propagate till spring. 

 Let us trace the career of a plant 

 "from the cutting to the cup" the 

 cup which often seems so near as we 

 survey our own flowers, but so far when 

 we have an opportunity of examining 

 those of others. 



The best type of cutting for Novetn- 

 O r December propagation is a short, 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



A, a good cutting. The main stem and lower 



leaf must be cut off at the dark lines, sturdy shoot springing from the base of 



B, a bad cutting, too weak. 



the plant. It is not, correctly speaking, 



a "cutting" at all, but a sucker springing from the stem or root- 

 stock, below ground, and is pulled off with finger and thumb, not 

 removed with a knife. Growers should keep a watchful eye on 

 these basal growths. They come after the plant has done its 

 duty by developing flowers. Top growth has come to an end, and 

 bottom growth reproduction begins. 



Tall plants in full bloom will have their base a considerable 

 way from the glass, and this spells danger for the suckers. They 

 will elongate in an endeavour to get up to the light, and become 

 "drawn" that is, long, thin, and weak. In that state they are 

 very poor material for propagating purposes. They should be 



