74 THE CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



better to plant them in beds of four or six rows, leaving 

 three-feet pathways between the beds. 



Plants in Pots. 



For plants which are intended to -be grown in pots, soil 

 should be used similar to that which is recommended for 

 other work (see Chap. XIII., " Soil for Potting ") But 

 that which has grown cucumbers the previous season has of 

 necessity to be substituted by florists. When this is ready 

 you may get a box of plants. Tap each side on the bench 

 to loosen the roots from the sides all round. Toss the 

 plants clean out of the box on to your soil on the bench. 

 Each plant can then be taken off with quite a nice ball, 

 and the roots will draw out without injury. Pot them 

 fairly firmly (I need not go through all the crocking pro- 

 cess, florists know how to do that) ; 6-in. pots should be 

 used for the best, and 5-in. for the next best plants. The 

 worst should t>e thrown away. When potted, stand them 

 close together in a cold frame; or they may be protected 

 out of doors if frames are scarce. Give them a good 

 watering with the rose on the can. Shade them a little 

 for a few days if the sun is very bright. Cold, cutting 

 winds are their worst enemies ; they give them a check, and 

 these checks are favourable to insects. Whether the 

 plants are in or out of frames they should not be shaded 

 sufficiently to draw them, but they should be brought up 

 as hardily as possible. They will stand six or eight de- 

 grees of frost, especially if they are somewhat dry. Do 

 not water in the afternoons if it can be avoided. 



Take the points out of the plants when they are about 

 six inches high. By the middle of May the plants should 

 be stood out in beds, six rows wide, allowing two or 

 three inches from pot to pot each way. If they 

 can be stood on ashes or boards, so much the 

 better; but if not, clear lime water should be used 

 'occasionally to keep out worms. Do not leave more 

 than three shoots to each plant. A stake two feet 

 long should be put to each, and these shoots should be 

 tied to it. In case a sharp frost occurs these stakes will 



