22 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



the glass, Chrysanthemums give least trouble in this 

 regard. When planting is finished all the ventilating 

 sash, top and bottom, should be thrown open, and the 

 doors likewise, forgetting that they are open, for they 

 need not be closed for several months, except in the 

 emergency of violent summer windstorms, when, they 

 may have to be closed for a short period to preserve 

 the house intact. All the summer air currents should 

 be allowed to circulate freely through the house, 

 among the plants, and when the air is superheated, 

 or of scorching aridity, it is the work of the grower 

 to charge it with essential moisture, or in other words, 

 create a growing atmosphere within the house. How 

 best and how often it may be necessary to do this, 

 brings us to the consideration of that all important, 

 detail 



WATERING 



To the misuse of water may be attributed most 

 of the failures or shortcomings in all plant culture. 

 There is no art in the application of this essential 

 element, but a well balanced judgment, born of keen 

 observation alone, can guide the grower. Man has 

 systematized .his feeding, and for convenience adheres to 

 fixed periods. The inexperienced amateur may, there- 

 fore,, be pardoned for asking at what hour and how 

 many times a day he should water his plants. Under 

 glass the grower has his plants in perfect control and 

 it becomes a test of his knowledge and ability. 



No definite instructions can be laid down as to 

 time of application, as so many diverse conditions arise. 

 The only way to extend a helping hand is to cite 

 general conditions governed entirely by watering and 

 to point out the evils that arise from either excess or 

 insufficiency. The desired condition of the soil is one 

 of uniform moisture in all its parts, so as to encourage 



