THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 311 



In former years it was only the large-flowered double Chrysan- 

 themums which were grown in pots to any extent, but now single 

 varieties are extensively cultivated in this way. They certainly 

 make more graceful decorative plants than the large-flowered 

 doubles. Most of them spread well and flower freely. The 

 blooms are really like coloured Marguerites, or they may be 

 likened to single Pyrethrums, which are so popular for spring 

 flowering in the garden. They do not require any staking, as 

 they are quite self-supporting. The everyday amateur with a 

 small greenhouse or conservatory may be excused for shrinking 

 from the complex and exacting study of growing Chrysanthemums 

 in pots on the show system, but he need have no fear of trying 

 the plants in the more natural way here described. He will find 

 the plants very tractable, and when they are in full bloom his 

 small structure will be very gay, cheerful, and enjoyable at a period 

 when without Chrysanthemums it would be bare and devoid of 

 charm. 



Chrysanthemums are so beautiful for garden decoration that 

 we find it difficult to understand why they are not used more. 

 In part it is doubtless due to the fact that they are generally 

 regarded as indoor plants, and not hardy. It is somewhat curious 

 that the space which Chrysanthemums might have in gardens but 

 for the belief that they are tender is generally given to Dahlias, 

 which are distinctly less hardy. We have no desire to disparage 

 Dahlias. They are beautiful flowers, and we have given them 

 warm praise in another chapter ; but we should certainly like to 

 see Chrysanthemums more frequently grown in flower-gardens, even 

 if the space devoted to Dahlias had to be curtailed somewhat. 



There is no more attractive flower-garden plant than the bril- 

 liant Chrysanthemum. It combines graceful growth with beautiful 

 and varied colours. Glorious masses of colour may be made by 

 growing a few of the brightest varieties in groups. No small 

 advantage connected with the plant is that it may be transplanted 



