308 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



knowledge in two ways: (i) By studying the hints which are 

 given in the catalogues of the principal dealers in Chrysanthemums, 

 in gardening papers, and in books on the flower; (2) by his own 

 practical experiments, observations, and records. In his early days 

 as an exhibitor he will certainly need guidance from men of greater 

 experience. How necessary it is to master the question is shown 

 by the fact that one expert, Mr. H. J. Jones, gave a list of no 

 fewer than fourteen types. Here is his key: 



TYPE 



1. Pinch the tip out of the shoot about the first week of April, and secure second 



crown buds. 



2. Pinch the plants during the first week of May, and secure first crown buds. 



3. Let the plants break naturally, and secure first crown buds. 



4. Let the plants make a natural break, and secure late crown buds (approximately 



the third to the last week in August). 



5. Pinch the plants during the third week of April, and secure second crown buds. 



6. Pinch the plants during the first week of May, and secure first crown buds. 



7. Pinch the plants during the third week of March, and secure second crown buds. 



8. Pinch the plants during the second week of April, and secure first crown buds. 



9. Allow the plants to break naturally, and secure second crown buds, but propagate 



early in the year, or during December of the previous year. 



10. Pinch the plants at the end of February, and secure first crown buds. 



11. Stop early in February, and secure first crown buds. 



12. Pinch March I for second crown buds. 



13. Stop March I for first crown buds. 



14. Stop first week in March, take up three shoots, stop again the last week in May, 



and then secure the first bud. 



It will be seen that Mr. Jones anticipates the " first break " in 

 a good many cases by stopping or pinching the young plants 

 before it appears naturally. Although his system may appear 

 cumbrous, it is really quite intelligible. In his own case he merely 

 puts a letter to each type, and a corresponding letter to each variety 

 when experience teaches him how to treat it, and he has a clear 

 and plain guide. Probably no better plan could be devised for 

 achieving the object of getting each member of a collection at its 

 best during the first half of November, when most of the Chrysan- 

 themum shows are held. 



We will now give consideration to the cultivation of Chrysan- 



