THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 173 



Subsequent Repotting S. By early April a second repotting will 

 be needful, and if the plants can be well established in these larger pots 

 before they are placed outdoors so much the better. The plants in large 

 sixties (three and a-half inch pots) should be potted up into thirty-twos 

 (six-inch pots), and those in small sixties (three-inch pots) into forty- 

 eights (five-inch pots). Spread this operation over some time, as the 

 plants are not all in the same condition, and will therefore need repot- 

 ting much earlier than those of a less vigorous growth. In this case 

 also see that the pots and crocks are scrupulously clean. For this shift 

 the compost must be richer and more lasting, the following ingredients 

 meeting their requirements at this somewhat early season. Of good fibrous 

 loam, by no means heavy or retentive, take four parts, one-part well de- 

 cayed leaf -mould, and one part of horse droppings, prepared as for a mush- 

 room bed. To these add a third-part of coarse sand or road grit, a third 

 of a part of crushed oyster shells, and, in addition, a liberal sprinkling of 

 bone-meal and any well-known concentrated manure. The heap should 

 be well mixed, turning it over repeatedly until quite satisfied that each 

 of the ingredients is evenly distributed. In this case it will not be 

 necessary to pass the compost through a coarse sieve, but pull the larger 

 pieces of turfy loam into pieces about the size of a walnut. Crock and 

 pot with increasing care, rendering the soil firmer at each repotting. 

 Cover the crocks as before with the rougher portions of the soil, and 

 when placing the plant in the new pot, keep the surface of the ball of 

 earth well below the rim of the pot. Ram the compost in firmly, other- 

 wise the aftergrowth will be poor. Stand the plants when repotted in 

 a somewhat shady place, allowing them to remain there for a few 

 days, or until they have recovered from the check. When the 

 soil is just moist no water will be needed by the repotted plants 

 for a day or two, unless one is much drier than another. A 

 few hours before repotting the plants water them thoroughly. When 

 watering of the repotted plants is necessary give them a copious 

 supply to insure the whole of the soil becoming thoroughly moistened. 

 In the course of a few days the plants may be placed in the open in 

 double rows, standing them on boards or a very thick layer of ashes or 

 coke breeze. Place a small hazel stake in each pot to support the plant, 

 the latter being lightly looped to the stake, and not tied tightly as is so 

 often the case. They may be left thus until the final potting is necessary. 



Final Potting. Chrysanthemums are usually placed in their 

 flowering pots during the early summer, but this operation entirely 

 depends upon the condition of individual plants. This final potting is 

 an important cultural detail, and to achieve success pay special attention 

 to the preparation of the compost. This should be composed as fol- 

 lows : Four-parts good fibrous loam, one-part leaf -mould, half a part of 

 horse droppings, prepared as for a mushroom bed, and a sixth of a part 

 each of wood ashes, or crushed charcoal, and crushed oyster shells. A 

 free sprinkling each of some good concentrated manure, such as Clay's, 

 and a similar quantity of quarter-inch bones, will promote vigorous 

 growth ; but as the plants are to remain in these pots for five or six 

 months at least, a lasting compost is, of course, essential. The compost 



