CHAPTER XXIX 



THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



In order to grow this favorite flower well, it is 

 necessary to understand its nature and its needs. 

 Plants grown by those who give it the same care they 

 give all their plants may be satisfactory, in a degree, 

 but their specimens will be greatly inferior to those 

 grown by persons who give them proper treatment. 



In the first place, the fact must be understood that 

 the Chrysanthemum is a plant requiring a great deal 

 of nutriment. It is a plant fond of rich food. There- 

 fore a soil of ordinary fertility is not the kind of soil 

 to grow it in if one desires that it should do its 

 best. See that the soil you give it is very rich. Old, 

 well-rotted barnyard manure is excellent as a basis of 

 the compost. If this is not obtainable, use bone meal 

 liberally. A tablespoonful to the amount of soil an 

 eight or ten-inch pot will hold is not too much. Mix 

 it in well with the loam which forms the body of the 

 soil. This will do for the first months of the plant's 

 growth. Later, as it begins to get ready for flowering, 

 it will be well to give a liquid fertilizer, and to give 

 it often. This produces great quantities of fine flowers. 



In the second place it must be borne in mind 

 that the Chrysanthemum is a plant that likes a great 

 deal of water while making active growth. Often, 

 during the hot weather of summer, two applications 

 will be required daily — one at evening, and the other 

 in the morning. It should never be allowed to get 

 dry at the roots. If it does, it will have received a 

 check which will interfere seriously with its develop- 

 ment — one from which it will not be likely to recover 



