288 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Walter Hunnewell's Chkysaxthemums, Wellesley. 



Our next visit was at Walter HunneweH's (T. D. Hatfield, 

 gardener), Avhere we saw some ver}^ fine specimens indeed. At 

 our request Mr. Hatfield has given us for the Tkaxsactioxs a 

 leaf out of the book of his own experience, which has extended 

 over many years, he having been a successful grower and exhib- 

 itor for a long time. The many premiums he has received must 

 be a sufficient evidence that he is an expert in the culture of this 

 popular plant. During this same time he has furnished articles 

 and notes on the Chrysanthemum for " Garden and Forest." Mr. 

 Hatfield's account forms a valuable contribution to the Trans- 

 actions of the Society, and will be read with interest. 



He writes as follows : 



Statement of Mr. Hatfield. 



During the season large numbers of small pot Chrysanthemums 

 are bought when in bloom. What to do with the plants when 

 out of bloom is a question often asked. When it is remembered 

 that Pompon varieties are quite hardy in Massachusetts, and 

 many others nearly so, it will be seen that no pampering is 

 necessary in wintering the plants over. Such as have been 

 grown in pots are by the nature of their previous culture too 

 tender to be turned out at once. A very cool cellar, such as a 

 barn cellar, on a shelf near the light, would be a good place to 

 keep them. A little frost would do them no harm. It is better 

 to keep the plants cool, for if the place is at all warm they start 

 into growth, and this weakens them. I have known them keep 

 Avell in an attic, and also in a fairly warm cobbler's shop, near the 

 Avindows. They freeze sometimes, but come out all right in spring. 

 Here is a starting point. When spring comes most of the plants 

 Avill be a mass of growing shoots. What is generally done is to 

 divide up the old stool, and plant a number of shoots together. 

 I do not desire to be tedious, or to hamper the grower with too 

 many details, but it would be better if a few of the shoots, with 

 a piece of root attached to each, could be started afresh into 

 separate plants in sandy soil. This could all be done before 

 June, after which there would be ample time to transplant the 

 young plants and get good bushes before the autumn. Young 

 plants such as I have indicated always have more vigor than 



