SEED RAISING AND HYBRIDIZING 99 



the operation when the reproductive organs are fully 

 developed and perfect. This knowledge will be easily 

 acquired by experience and comes only by observation 

 and practice. 



Owing to the prevalence of bees and other insects 

 at the time the Chrysanthemums are in bloom, it is 

 well to sack or tie the heads of flowers crossed in 

 tissue or paraffine paper. This is considered useless by 

 many p^-sons who have worked at crossing the Chrys- 

 anthemum, but it should be done to prevent insect inter- 

 ference. 



The importance of correct atmospheric conditions 

 cannot be overrated. After the plants have been 

 pollenized, it is best to select a dry, airy house where 

 a moderate temperature is maintained. The great 

 drawback to ripening Chrysanthemum seed, and the 

 cause of failure in most cases, is the excess of moisture 

 found in the house where the plants are placed. 

 Where there are overhead steam or hot water pipes, it 

 is a good plan to have a shelf on which to place the 

 pots so that the heads fertilized may be sufficiently 

 near the pipes for the heat to take up any excess of 

 moisture. Keeping the heads dry is certainly one of 

 the essential requisites for ripening the seed. The 

 climatic conditions existing in Australia and in 

 southern France are a helpful and important factor 

 in ripening the seed in those localities, hence the many 

 splendid varieties appearing there. 



SOWING THE SEED 



After harvesting and cleaning the seed, sow it in 

 January, using a leaf mold, if procurable. If this be 

 not available, then any good garden mold, free from 

 manure, will answer, but the soil should be of a light 

 character. Some cover the seed with soil, but unques- 



