CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 



CHAPTER II. 

 CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 



In the following chapters I propose to treat on the best 

 and most up-to-date methods of growing the chrysan- 

 themum, whether for exhibition, decoration, or market; 

 but as the first-named stands out from the rest both in 

 respect of the skill required and in the perfection of bloom 

 produced I shall take this section first. 



Growing Tor the Show Bench. 



In growing chrysanthemums for the Show bench I shall 

 give two distinct methods, and shall endeavour to keep 

 each to its own chapter. In following the first method, 

 whereby two, three, and even four blooms for exhibition 

 are produced on the same plant, it is essential that the 

 cuttings should be inserted during December and January 

 if they can be procured. The soil should consist of equad 

 parts of loam, sand, and leaf-mould. Sprinkle a little 

 coarse sand on the top of the compost, so thai some may 

 trickle down when the holes are made into which the cut- 

 tings are inserted. Put three or four cuttings round the 

 edge of a 4-in. pot, press firmly, and sprinkle with a little 

 water to settle all well about the heels of the cuttings. 

 Place them in a greenhouse in hand-lights, or boxes just 

 deep enough to allow of squares of glass being laid over 

 them, to retain the moisture whilst rooting is being 

 accomplished. 



Take cuttings of all the late flowering sorts first, if they 

 can be had. I prefer those which have a clean growth of 

 four or five inches from the ground, taking their tops 

 about two or three inches long, to those which 

 have been grubbed up out of the ground, even if they have 

 roots to them. The former cuttings make plants sooner, 

 and have a cleaner growth (cuttings from the stem often 

 throw premature flower buds). 



