ORNAMENTALS 261 



below the flowering buds; this will cause them to 

 throw out flowering" branches at the axil of each 

 leaf and keep up a succession of flowers until the 

 chrysanthemums appear. 



** If the first flowers are cut for table decoration, 

 the plants quickly throw out new branches, which 

 will keep up a succession. When the plants are 

 allowed to remain undisturbed, the flowers will soon 

 grow smaller and lose vigor and intensity of color, 

 simply from the want of nourishment from both air 

 and earth. 



HARDY CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



" So far as cultivation goes, chrysanthemums and 

 the phloxes require the same general treatment. 

 The former should be set singly as soon as they 

 show growth in spring, and given a good, rich, and 

 deep soil which should have a liberal mulch if the 

 soil is naturally dry and sunny. Set the plants I 

 foot apart each way; when 6 inches high, nip the 

 tops from all. Side branches will quickly appear, 

 making vigorous growth. About the middle of 

 July nip the terminal bud from each branch to 

 cause plants to become strong and bushy ; and when 

 season for flowers arrives, plants will be loaded. 



" If large flowers are required, disbud as is the 

 custom of the florist with the more tender sorts. 

 By leaving only the terminal bud to each branch the 

 flowers will be double the size of those on the 

 plants where all the buds are allowed to perfect 

 their flowers. We must, however, say we are not 

 in happy accord with the disbudding process. The 

 chrysanthemum is the culmination of the season, 

 and we like to encourage the plant to produce as 

 many flowers as possible without regard to size. 



