18 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



limit in line, as by so doing the grower has them 

 under better control. Varieties differ, often to a 

 marked degree, in their requirements both as to water 

 and food, and when these peculiarities are known, 

 advantage may be taken thereof in the arrangement 

 of the plants upon the benches previous to the planting, 

 so as to simplify future operations. 



To start the plants growing rightly, it is most 

 important to plant firmly. Equal care should be given 

 to every plant, by making the soil immediately 

 surrounding it thoroughly firm. If the soil be 

 naturally inclined to be light and on the dry side at 

 planting time, hand pressure may not suffice, but 

 should be supplemented by pounding with a half brick 

 or something similarly suitable. When all the plants 

 are in position, the entire soil of the bench must be 

 firmed in the same manner, leaving a small depression 

 around each plant to retain the *water, which for the 

 first few waterings must be given to the plant only, 

 without watering the entire body of soil. When plant- 

 ing and compacting the soil are completed the 

 surface should be one inch below the edges of the 

 bench, not only to facilitate watering but to permit of 

 subsequent top dressing. 



The same methods may be pursued, and with equal 

 success, by planting into portable boxes of a conven- 

 ient size. A box five feet long and nine inches wide 

 will accommodate six plants, as seen in Fig. 4, or a 

 square box may be made to contain the same number. 

 Some of the best flowers ever shown in this country 

 were grown in just such boxes. The plan has much 

 to recommend it to those who grow a limited number 

 of plants, or who may not have sufficient room to give 

 up a whole house entirely to Chrysanthemums. It has 

 the additional merit of the availability of the plants 

 for decorative use, wherever desired, when so grown. 



