IV THE CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



tion and distribution of early flowering singles. In 

 Chapter VI. will be found a description of the way I 

 succeeded ; n obtaining" these beautiful specimens from seed, 

 and since then they have become extremely popular for 

 decorative purposes. 



The " Culture of the Chrysanthemum " is written chiefly 

 as a handbook for amateurs. These are an ever-increasing 

 army. The number of allotment gardens in a'll parts of 

 the country is tiuly astounding, and 1 am sometimes filled 

 with admiration by seeing the fine crops that the hard- 

 working, thrifty cultivators of these plots are able to raise. 

 There is a tendency for many allotment holders to develop 

 into market gardeners, and this is very noticeable in the 

 neighbourhood of fairly large towns. One of the best 

 schodls in which to learn land cultivation is the allotment 

 ground, where the knowledge and experience that 

 are absolutely essential to success may be gained. The 

 way 'these sturdy horticulturists have taken to the cultiva- 

 tion of early flowering chrysanthemums for pleasure or 

 profit or for both illustrates their readiness to try any- 

 thing in the nature of a novelty, and it also proves that 

 these varieties may be grown in perfection with the utmost 

 .ease in any soil that is capable of raising vegetables. I 

 may say, in passing, that among the hundreds of friendly 

 and encouraging letters which I receive in the course of 

 the year, I value none more highly than those which reach 

 me from my friends, the amateur gardeners, in all parts 

 of the kingdom. 



In the chapter dealing with chrysanthemum growing in 

 the United States I have briefly described the methods 

 followed there. The climate -is so different from that 

 which we have in Great Britain that the conditions under 

 which gardeners are obliged to work bear small relation 

 to what we are accus>tomed to at home. For this reason 

 I have contented myself with merely outlining in general 

 terms the way in which chrysanthemums are cultivated 

 by the leading growers. Americans devote their energies 

 to producing the largest possible blooms, and in this 

 direction, aided by 4he climate, they are eminently success- 



