120 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



during the time the flowers were expanding, or growing 

 the plants in pots, and putting them under glass or 

 calico coverings during the flowering period, there was 

 a better chance of winning prizes. Still, many odd 

 blooms are yet cut in the open ground and set up 

 for competition with good results. The illustration 

 (Fig. 27) is from a photograph of plants grown and 

 flowered in the open. It was taken after a soaking rain 

 and is not a fair example of them at their best. 



"Of special interest is the way the Japanese varie- 

 ties are now grown here for exhibition. Some of the 

 most successful exhibitors, especially in the cooler parts 

 of Australia, grow and flower their plants in pots, much 

 in the same way as they are treated in England; only 

 many growers here have a light framework covered with 

 calico instead of glass. The plants are put under cover 

 when the petals show color. The pot grown bloom is 

 usually better finished. Ten-inch pots are generally 

 used and the plants allowed to carry one, two or three 

 blooms. The majority of growers for exhibition are 

 amateurs and depend solely on beds made of ordinary 

 soil. Some have retentive soil, while others have almost 

 pure sand. A rather free loamy soil is preferred. 

 The bed is simply made by trenching the ground about 

 eighteen inches deep. If the land be flat the bed is 

 raised about one foot above the ordinary level and the 

 subsoil drained with agricultural pipes or other suitable 

 drainage material. 



"Plants are put out in September or October about 

 three feet by two feet apart. Each plant is allowed to 

 carry three shoots. Very little attention is given 

 beyond staking and removing any superfluous growths 

 until February. At that season the buds are selected, 

 and when they are considered to be safe it is usual to 

 give two or three applications of weak liquid manure, 



