THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 305 



in fact, some are prepared specially for this flower. Sheep droppings 

 tied in a piece of old sacking suspended in a tub of water give a 

 splendid liquid. Chemical fertilisers may also be used. One ounce 

 of superphosphate and half an ounce of sulphate of ammonia in a 

 gallon of water will be good. The different kinds which are used 

 should be used by turns. 



We have glanced at the general points of management other 

 than training and bud development. Let us now consider these 

 highly important matters. If a Chry- 

 santhemum plant is to produce blooms 

 up to exhibition standard, it must only be 

 allowed to carry a very limited number. 

 If its energies are spread over many 

 flowers, they will be too small to win 

 prizes. Not only flowers but branches 

 also must be restricted. This means, of 

 course, an unnatural course of treatment. 

 If a plant is allowed to grow as it likes 

 it will produce many shoots and many 

 flowers. The blooms will be pretty and 

 useful, but they will not carry off any 

 silver cups. 



In order to get a clear grasp of the 

 system of training and bud management 

 that yields exhibition flowers, we must hark back to the spring, 

 when our young plants, raised from cuttings, were making 

 steady progress in a frame. They will have one shoot, the 

 main upright one, and no more. Some time in April or May 

 a flower-bud will probably form at the top, and if, directly the 

 grower sees it, he examines the plant, he will find three incipient 

 shoots, or growing (not flower) buds just beneath it. This is called 

 the " first break " of the plant. The early bud is of no use, and 

 must be pinched off immediately, then the growths below will 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS THB FIRST BREAK 



A, plant making first break. B shows the 

 top of the plant. The bud forms at C, 

 and this bud must be removed ; then the 

 shoots D, D, D grow rapidly, and must 

 be duly staked. 



