50 THE CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



Another way by which propagation may be done is to 

 leave the suckers on the old stools until they become 

 rooted, and then plant them out about the middle or end 

 of April, but as such plants invariably grow taller than 

 those from cuttings, wherever possible the former method 

 is to be preferred. 



If the weather should become very dry after planting, 

 it ;as advisable to give the chrysanthemums at least one 

 good soaking. But it is surprising how soon they begin 

 to make fibrous roots if the ground is in good condition. 



About the middle or end of June, or as soon as the 

 plants become established, take the points out to make 

 them bushy; in fact, they should all be "stopped" to 

 within four or six inches of the ground. 



Planting Out. 



At the Merstham Nurseries, as we require to set out 

 from 80,000 to 100,000 plants every year, we are obliged 

 to work on a larger scale than that o<f the ordinary grower, 

 but as our method can be employed with advantage in 

 comparatively small gardens, the particulars may be of 

 interest. 



A few days before we begin planting out we prepare a 

 galvanised wire line and run it out straight along a fence 

 where it can be easily measured. We mark the fence at 

 distances of 18 inches apart, put a spot of paint on the wire 

 opposite each mark, and then tie some fine tar string at 

 each paint spot, twisting it round the wire two or three 

 times. Afterwards the string is painted over and left to 

 dry for a few days. In this way a line is obtained which 

 will not shrink with the wet nor stretch in the sun, and it 

 is almost everlasting. 



When preparing for planting, first put down a guide 

 line, which should remain, and be kept quite taut. Then 

 square the planting line with one knot about an inch over 

 the guide line, and put out the plants with a trowel op- 

 posite each knot. Care should be taken not to touch the 

 planting line with the trow r el, for if it is pushed aside each 



