306 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



develop into branches. As they grow up they will, of course, form 

 leaves, and they will probably also commence developing side 

 shoots; the latter must be removed as promptly as the first bud 

 was, and the plant rigorously restricted to the three growths which 

 have developed from the main stem, and which will carry the cup 

 flowers that are presently to come and delight the world. 



Assuming that the plant continues to make healthy progress, 

 its next effort at bud production is likely to take place somewhere 



between the middle of July and 

 the middle of August. The same 

 condition will be observed with 

 the three shoots as was observed 

 with the one in May, namely, a 

 flower-bud appearing with a cluster 

 of incipient growths just below it. 

 We do not, however, necessarily 

 remove the flower-bud and preserve 

 the growths now. We may do just 

 the reverse. The new bud is called 

 the " crown," and if it has come 



t fa ri^ht time for the VaHetV it 

 * l L11C ll iLl limc 1U1 1CL .X 



^J develop intO Z OOZC floWCr if it 



* L 



j s preserved and the growths below 

 it are removed. This operation is called "taking the bud." 



Observe, we say " if it has come at the right time for the variety." 

 "Are there, then," it may be asked, "differences in varieties with 

 respect to the rate of development from the appearance of the bud 

 to the maturity of the bloom ? " Certainly there are, and it is these 

 variations which constitute one of the great problems of Chrysan- 

 themum growers. No rule can be given which will govern all 

 varieties. If there could, growing prize Chrysanthemums would 

 be a much more simple matter than it is now. Generally speak- 

 ing, buds which come at the middle, or even the end, of July 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS TERMINAL BUD AND 

 HOW TO "TAKE" IT 



A, end of branch on which terminal bud B is 

 borne ; C, C, C, smaller side buds which 

 must be removed while they are quite small ; 

 D shows result the central terminal swelling 

 satisfactorily. 



