THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 357 



sifted ashes, and give each one sufficient space for air to circulate freely 

 around. The frame must be carefully ventilated at first, gradually in- 

 creasing the ventilation so as to prevent a sickly growth. In a compar- 

 tively short time the young plants will bear full exposure to the green- 

 house without flagging, and forthwith continue to grow. The more 

 forward plants when sufficiently hardened may safely be placed on the 

 shelves of the greenhouse near to the glass ; this will keep them sturdy 

 and stocky. It is a mistake to stand the pots on the bare boards of the 

 shelves, as with the lengthening days after the turn of the year, accom- 

 panied with short periods of bright sunshine, the soil quickly dries, and 

 unless one is constantly on the alert many of these young Chrysanthe- 

 mums receive a serious check. It is a good rule to spread a layer of 

 cocoanut fibre, or any other substance answering the same purpose, on 

 the shelves, first standing the plants on this material. By these means 

 the air is kept cooler than would otherwise be the case, consequently 

 less water is required. Until the whole of the cuttings are rooted, they 

 must be constantly shifted from one structure to another before hardening 

 them off. Ventilate as occasion offers, and special pains must be taken 

 to keep the temperature at about 45 degrees or the plants will become 

 drawn. As the days get warmer admit air more freely, and as soon as 

 the cuttings become rooted in the frames outdoors give ventilation upon 

 all favourable occasions. Advantage must be taken of fine days to in- 

 crease the supply of air. Plants raised in this way are often sickly in 

 the early season, but by judicious ventilation and careful water-supply 

 an alteration soon occurs. Light overhead syringings on hot days are 

 beneficial. 



First Repotting. As soon as the young plants have filled their small 

 pots with roots shift them into those of larger size. Those, too, which 

 were rooted around the edge of small pots and also propagated in boxes, 

 should receive similar attention when well rooted. Repot plants rooted 

 singly in " thumb " pots into those measuring three and a half inches 

 across, and known as large sixties. Small sixties pots three inches in 

 diameter will suffice for the others, and on this account prepare them 

 in good time. It is a good rule to prepare for the next operation as the 

 last one is finished. The pots and crocks should always be cleansed when 

 dirty, and new pots soaked in clean water. The compost for the first 

 repotting should be as follows : Three parts fibrous loam, one part 

 thoroughly rotted manure, and one part good leaf-mould. To this add 

 half a part of coarse sand or road grit and a dusting of wood ashes or 

 crushed charcoal. Pass the first three ingredients through a coarse 

 sieve, and pull the pieces of fibrous matter apart as far as possible. Then 

 thoroughly mix the whole of the ingredients, and when completed all will 

 be ready. Begin first with the plants which give evidence of being well 

 rooted, and rather defer the potting up of any plant for a day or two 

 than shift it into a pot of larger size before it is ready. Crock with care, 

 covering these with the rougher siftings, which form an admirable drainage 

 and also prevent the soil clogging the crocks. Turn each plant out of 

 its pot, removing the crocks from its base so as not to damage the 



