302 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



of pots, finishing with a fairly large one, makes the culture of 

 show Chrysanthemums more expensive than growing them for 

 ordinary decoration. For the latter purpose 3-inch to 5 or 6 inch, 

 and from the latter to 8-inch, will do. This saves a shift, and 

 utilises a cheaper pot, but an 8-inch pot is not large enough to 

 yield show flowers of the finest quality; a 9-inch or ic-inch is 

 needed. Even with the larger pot the soil at the first potting in 



June must be made very firm in fact, it 

 should be compressed with a rammer. 



The compost should consist for the 

 main part of fibrous loam from decayed 

 turf. The quality of the loam has a 

 considerable bearing on that of the 

 flowers. The turf is best cut from an 

 old pasture ten or twelve months before 

 it is required for use, and stacked grass 

 side downward. When potting time 

 comes a fourth each of leaf-mould and 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS STAKING - , , i / 1 j 



decayed manure, a tenth of sand, and a 



A shows how to stake a young plant ; B ^ 



shows how to stake a specimen plant, or thirty-second (one quart to each bushel) 



where three young ones are grown in a 



large pot ; c, c shows how the stems of steamed bone flour may be added. 



should be spread out. 111 



If these ingredients are thoroughly 



mixed, and well rammed into the pot in a damp, but not sodden, 

 state, a good supply of food will be provided for the plants. 



At each repotting the pots should be carefully crocked. Too 

 much drainage material is often put in, thus reducing the space 

 for soil. One large crock over the hole, a few others evenly over- 

 lapping it, and half an inch of clean moss, insure perfect drainage 

 without taking up much room. 



The plants may pass the summer in the open air. A place 

 should be found for them that is open to the sun and air, but is 

 sheltered from rough winds. The pots should be stood on boards 

 or sharp cinders to prevent worms getting in. Amateurs who are 



