312 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



from one place to another even when in bud, so long as the pre- 

 caution is taken of well watering the soil first, and taking the 

 plant up with a good deal of earth. The work is best done in 

 showery weather. Plants so shifted soon re-establish themselves, 

 and in a few days are growing freely. In due season they bloom 

 well. The importance of this lies in the fact that a succession of 

 flowers can be arranged in a border without overcrowding. Instead 

 of cramming the Chrysanthemums into the border, there to half 

 smother themselves while they are waiting to take the place of 

 earlier flowers when the latter shall have faded, the Chrysanthe- 

 mums can be planted in good soil in some spare plot, with plenty 

 of room to grow into healthy and vigorous specimens. Earlier 

 things can be cut down when they are over, and the Chrysanthe- 

 mums planted near them. This greatly extends the beauty of a 

 border. Similarly, beds may be planted with Chrysanthemums 

 after summer flowers have faded. 



Although the cottager generally allows his Chrysanthemums to 

 look after themselves year after year, not troubling to take them 

 up and divide them, or to raise fresh stock from cuttings, or to 

 give fresh soil, outdoor plants benefit by attention. The clumps 

 may be split up very much like a Michaelmas Daisy, and when 

 they start growing in spring, planted in fresh, manured soil. But 

 probably the best plants are got by raising a few fresh ones from 

 cuttings every spring. This does not involve much trouble, and 

 it insures young, vigorous plants which will produce abund- 

 ance of large, brilliant flowers. Soakings of water in dry weather, 

 and occasional doses of liquid manure, will of course benefit the 

 plants. 



The Pompon and Single varieties are the most generally useful 

 for outdoor culture, owing to their branching yet neat habit and 

 abundance of bright flowers. They can be cut from freely, and will 

 prove quite capable of yielding a great deal of material for room 

 decoration, as well as making a brilliant display in the garden. 



