CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 15 



upon them; otherwise they should frave a,ll the light and 

 air possible, and plenty of room allowed them. They 

 should not be watered for .a few days after potting, but 

 be kept from flagging by just sprinkling them overhead 

 very lightly, but not after 2 p.m., or they will not get dry 

 before night. They should be watered the first time suffi- 

 ciently to soak the ball through, a rose being used on the 

 watering-pot. Do not go over them all a little, and then 

 round again, as this will make the soil muddy. After this 

 watering the pots should always be tapped with the 

 knuckles to ascertain if the plants are dry ; and if this 

 prove to be so, give them sufficient water to go through the 

 bottom. But on no account water them before they are 

 dry, for on this careful watering depends the ripening of 

 the wood throughout the whole growth. 



One soon gets used to the sound of a dry pot. The old 

 custom of watering chrysanthemums once a day, whether 

 they want it or not, will never ripen the wood -properly, 

 and will never produce good exhibition flowers. It should 

 be remembered that after the first watering they may not 

 want any more for a week, and watering would only turn 

 them yellow. But as soon as they get well rooted, some 

 of them may want watering twice daily on hot, dry days, 

 and they must have it, or they will take their revenge in 

 November ! Not one item must be neglected. The best 

 of everything must be got for them, and the best attention 

 given them. Then, depend upon it, they will reward you 

 in the end. 



Always avoid watering chrysanthemums late in the day 

 when there is any sign of frost, for when the plants are 

 full of water the frost takes more hold upon them than 

 when they are dry. But while they are in the 32*8 they 

 can be covered at night, for it is not safe to trust the 

 English climate even one night. Some of the plants may 

 want a stake while in the 32*5, but do not use large 

 or stout ones. Should the plants get too tall for the frame, 

 put a brick under each corner. If they are well rooted, 

 and the weather is wet and cold, it would be better to 

 feed them a little than pot them into their flowering pots. 



