CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN AMERICA. 9! 



No artificial support whatever is allowed to blooms 

 staged for exhibition, and hence, in the case of the monster 

 flowers which are so much admired, the heads are apt to 

 droop. Visitors are frequently obliged to raise the flowers 

 to examine them, and when this has been done many 

 times the poor heads droop lower than ever. The pro- 

 hibition of all artificial support has, however, one marked 

 result; it compels growers to use every endeavour to pro- 

 duce varieties with strong stiff stems. 



It is quite the usual practice to cut flowers intended for 

 exhibition a week or more before the date of the show. 

 They are kept in a darkened cellar, in barrels of water. 

 Naturally, while there, they absorb a tremendous quantity 

 of moisture, ia>nd, in consequence, the flowers remain quite 

 fresh for several days while a show (lasts. Chrysanthemums 

 raised for commercial purposes are cut twenty-four hours 

 before being despatched to market, and are kept in a cool, 

 dark place in water, the idea being the same as in the 

 case of the exhibition specimens to make the blooms re- 

 tain their freshness for a good while. 



