May Lilac Time 



necessary. Those who grow garden flowers for winter 

 and spring will find a frame essential for the accommo- 

 dation of the plants during summer ; there they are kept 

 moderately cool and given such equable conditions of 

 moisture and temperature as ensure satisfactory 

 growth. 



Chrysanthemums. Plants that are grown for the 

 production of large blooms should have been repotted as 

 became necessary during spring, and by now ought to be 

 in 6-inch flower-pots out of doors, after having been 

 "hardened off" in frames. Usually in May, what is 

 known as the "break "bud appears at the apex of the 

 young plant and causes the latter to produce fresh shoots, 

 three of which are generally left to form the principal 

 branches. In August a bud will form in the apex of each 

 of these branches or shoots ; it is known as the first crown 

 bud. Some varieties produce the best blooms from the 

 first crown, others from the second crown bud. If it is 

 decided to retain the first crown, all the little shoots that 

 form below it must be rubbed off ; this process is known 

 as " taking" the bud. If, however, it is essential that a 

 variety shall bloom from the second crown buds, the 

 first crown buds are removed and one fresh shoot on each 

 branch is allowed ^o continue its development. These 

 will subsequently bear second crown buds, and to " take " 

 them, the little shoots immediately beneath are rubbed 

 off. 



Arum Lilies. When the ordinary white Arum Lily, 

 grown in flower-pots, has finished flowering, the plants 

 ought to be hardened off by being placed in a frame or 

 at the foot of a sheltered wall ; they may then be put out 

 of doors for the summer. Some gardeners prefer to keep 

 them in pots and by gradually decreasing the supplies of 

 water " dry them off " ; when the leaves have died down 

 watering is discontinued. Most people, however, plant 

 them in the garden for the summer months, leaving them 



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