THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 307 



are too early. The middle of August is nearer the time for 

 most sorts. 



If the first " crown " bud comes too early it is pinched out just 

 the same as the first " break " bud was, and the best of the in- 

 cipient shoots below taken on, the others being removed. If this 

 is done with each of the shoots it follows that the number of 

 flowering branches will not be increased; there will still be only 

 three. 



There will be a much shorter lapse of time between the appear- 

 ance of the second and third buds 

 than there was between the first 

 and second. It will probably be 

 less than a month. The third bud 

 will have the same appearance as the 

 second, and it is called the "second 

 crown." It is this " second crown " 

 bud which is generally taken ; in 

 other words, more prize flowers are 

 got from it than from any other. 

 Occasionally it is sacrificed, the dis- 

 budding prOCeSS repeated, and the A shows end of branch on which crown bud B is 



borne; C, C, C, side shoots which must be 

 pinched off while quite small ; D shows result 

 crown bud swelling satisfactorily. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS CROWN BUD AND HOW 

 TO "TAKK" IT 



fourth or "third crown" bud taken. 



In still fewer cases no " crown " bud 



is preserved, but the plant allowed to finish with a cluster of buds, 



the best of which is taken and called the " terminal." Flowers 



from "crown" and "terminal" buds are generally quite different, 



although the variety is the same. 



It will be seen that the matter of bud selection in Chrysanthe- 

 mums is a somewhat complicated one, and requires considerable 

 study. But if complex it is also very interesting. 



How can a beginner in growing Chrysanthemums for exhibition 

 learn how to manage the different varieties in order to have a 

 number of them all at their best at one time? He can acquire 



