90 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



Some discrimination should be used in planting, 

 setting out the early kinds in a bench by themselves so 

 that when they are cut the soil can be cleaned out 

 immediately and the bench space used at once for 

 another crop. Dwarf kinds should be planted on the 

 side benches where head room is restricted, and the taller 

 kinds in the center benches where they will have room 

 to stretch themselves without having to be pulled down 

 from the glass. (Figs. 24 and 25.) 



The distance apart to set out the plants is 

 governed considerably by the quality of stock it is 

 desired to grow. For very best flowers of exhibition 

 grade nine by six inches is as close as it is wise to 

 attempt to grow plants, keeping them to single stem. 

 Some growers plant at this distance and take up two 

 stems, but it must be remembered that the more 

 crowded the plants the poorer will be the grade of 

 flowers produced. 



After planting, the chief work during the summer 

 consists of keeping the stock tied up and free from 

 insects. In from ten to twelve weeks after planting, 

 the plants will be in need of feeding somewhat to keep 

 them growing along, and a light mulch of well rotted 

 manure will be found very beneficial, affording, as it 

 does, nourishment for the plants and keeping the soil 

 from drying out too rapidly. 



Feeding with liquid fertilizers may be practiced 

 every week or so until the buds show color, after which 

 time it must cease, as the plants should then be in 

 condition to finish the flowers in good shape, and feed- 

 ing, if continued too long, makes the flowers soft 

 and flabby and liable to decay. 



Buds may be taken on many of the early kinds by 

 the first or second week in August; in fact, they must 

 be taken for very early flowers, as a bud needs from 



