CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR DECORATION. 37 



CHAPTER V. 

 CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR DECORATION. 



There are many ways in which chrysanthemums may be 

 grown for decoration, according" to fancy, or the position 

 the plants have to occupy. My opinion as to the best 

 method of growing a pretty decorative plant is to insert 

 the cuttings in March, as pointed out in the last chapter, 

 and take out the points when they are established in small 

 pots. Then from the pinching take three shoots. Let 

 them grow six inches, pinch ithem once more, and allow 

 three shoots to grow from each again. Each of these nine 

 shoots should have a neat stick, and be allowed to carry 

 one flower. These will be of good quality and colour, 

 and will be sure to please. Or they 'may be left in sprays. 

 These latter will not be nearly such fine blooms, but they 

 are very useful for cutting or massing, and, by striking 

 late, the foliage is retained down to the pot if the watering 

 is carefully done. Some of these plants would require 

 7-in. pots, but some could be grow r n in 6-in. pots. 



Large Specimens. 



If large specimens are required they must be rooted as 

 early in December as possible, or even in November, and 

 potted on when ready. After they have grown six inches 

 take out the point ; keep them gentlly growing in every other 

 respect like show varieties. When they have grown six 

 inches stop them again, and give each shoot a small stiff 

 stake, tying them out fairly wide and evenly, for this, will 

 form the foundation of the plant. Pot them on as they re- 

 quire it so that they may receive no check, and leave three 

 shoots to each break from the pinching. When these 

 shoots are six inches long pinch them again, and from the 

 break leave three shoots to each as before. Continue the 

 stopping until Midsummer, but not later, for so many 



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