IO CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



as they start (Plate III, Fig. 6). The first 

 crown bud, although capable of producing an 

 immense flower, is often deficient in colour- 

 ing matter, and otherwise lacking in the 

 essentials of a perfect flower. Therefore 

 what is called the ' second crown' is generally 

 chosen as being more certain to give satis- 

 faction. It requires expert knowledge to 

 decide on the propriety of using the first 

 crown, but for the amateur it is much better 

 to rely on the second. 



"This is obtained by pinching out the 

 tip of the stem (Plate II, Fig. 5-A) in June, 

 or when the stem is eight or ten inches high, 

 before the first crown has appeared, and then 

 allowing a shoot (Plate II, Fig. 5-B) to grow 

 from the base, or axil, of one of the leaves, just 

 below the top. This in turn is kept free 

 from branches in the manner shown in 

 Plate III, Fig. 6, and develops a single bud, 

 which produces the desired quality, and 

 flowers four inches across. 



"By thus removing the tip, without wait- 

 ing for the first crown to form, one saves 

 time, and, what is very important, is likely 

 to secure a stouter growth. Should the 

 branch (Plate II, Fig. 5-B) end in a cluster 



