THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 309 



themums for decoration, both imder glass and out of doors. If 

 we devote less space to these branches of the subject than to culture 

 for exhibition, it is not because we regard them as of inferior 

 interest and importance, but because the procedure, being simpler, 

 can be described in fewer words. 



No grower of Chrysanthemums should devote the whole of his 

 conservatory space to plants grown on the exhibition system, for 

 they are mostly rather tall and upright, and show a good deal of 

 pot. He should grow some bush plants 

 in addition, and not restrict them so 

 severely, either in growth or buds. We 

 do not say that he should simply strike 

 cuttings, and then let the plants grow 

 as they like ; but he should content 

 himself with a little stopping and dis- 

 budding. 



In the first place, the plants need not 

 be raised so early as those intended for 

 show blooms. Spring propagation will do 

 quite well, and that is a great advantage, 

 as it leaves more house room for other 

 things that need it more. If suckers 

 are available in spring they may be 

 made use of, but if they are not, then 

 young shoots from growing plants may be taken, or young plants 

 bought for the purpose. When they have grown to not more 

 than eight inches high the tips may be pinched off, and this 

 will cause buds below to start ; these will form shoots, and may 

 be stopped in their turn when about four inches long, with the 

 object of causing still more buds to break. The two pinchings 

 or stoppings indicated will have the effect of causing the plants 

 to form strong side branches, and thus assume a bushy habit. 

 They will differ entirely from the big-bloom plants ; they will 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS CUTTING DOWN 



A, main stem cut down to cause later 

 growth and dwarfer habit ; B, side 

 shoots growing, and duly stopped ; 

 C shows resultant new growth ; D 

 shows the top shoot if only one is 

 to be retained and trained upright 

 as shown at E. 



