STOPPING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 27 



make naturally, so that it should be forced to bear flowers 

 of the greatest perfection one, two, or three weeks earlier 

 than it would do by allowing it to make its breaks in its 

 own natural way. Unless the cultivator's object be to 

 produce large exhibition blooms and have them in perfec- 

 tion by a certain date the stopping (or " timing " as it is 

 often called), is absolutely unnecessary, for all chrysanthe- 

 mums will flower at their usual time if unstopped. 



Stopping does not mean cutting or pinching off two, 

 three, or more inches of the top, but, as I have said, merely 

 taking out just the leading point, or say half an inch, 

 which compels the shoot to make a break much earlier 

 than it naturally would, and this break brings about exactly 

 the same result as the natural break would. There are 

 so many different types or sections of varieties, even 

 among the Japanese, that one might write a book upon 

 this one point of stopping only. But I will name ai few 

 of the very best varieties, the different methods of timing 

 them, and the buds preferred, so as to have the blooms at 

 their best by the first or second week in November in the 

 South of England. Growers in the Midlands or in the 

 North should stop their plants earlier, or in many cases 

 secure first crowns. (See " The Best Japs for Exhibi- 

 tion.") 



Varieties Improved i> Stopping* 



I will describe a few varieties which are improved in 

 colour and form by stopping. Among the number are 

 Algernon Davis, F. S. Vallis, H. Perkins, Lady Hopetoun, 

 Marquis of Northampton, Mdm. P. Radaelli, Mdm. G. 

 Rivol, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, Reginald Vallis, V. Greenham, 

 and W. A. Etherington. These are a few of the sorts 

 which, if rooted early, may be stopped by the end of March, 

 or early in April, in the South of England. It is desirable 

 to lead up only one growth from the resulting "break to the 

 next break (see Plate with one shoot), which should show 

 by the end of June. If, however, the second break does not 

 appear by the beginning of July, I would advise taking out 

 the point. From this break three shoots should be taken 



