350 florists' flowers. 



for conservatory and "greenhouse decoration. Two distinct 

 classes of this flower have been grown with us for a long 

 time, viz., the Large-flowered or Show kinds, and the Small- 

 flowered or Pompons. To these, through the researches 

 of our countrymen in Japan, has been added another class, 

 which has been designated the Japanese Chrysanthemum; 

 and although they do not yet reach the standard set up by 

 our Florists, they are very handsome. 



Chrysanthemums are increased by cuttings, which should 

 be taken off and inserted in small pots about the middle of 

 February, and placed in a moderate heat. Directly they 

 are nicely rooted, pot them off separately, and do not allow 

 the roots to be cramped at any time during the growing 

 season. About the middle of April, plants intended to 

 bloom in pots should have a large shift ; the soil for this 

 purpose should be composed of good turfy loam and well- 

 decomposed manure in about equal parts, to which may be 

 added a little peat and some river sand. This mixture will 

 grow good strong specimens, if attention is paid to stopping 

 the shoots and tying out the branches ; and in particular, 

 care must be taken never to allow the plants to flag, or else 

 the loss of the bottom leaves is sure to follow ; therefore give 

 them an abundance of water, with the addition of some 

 liquid manure about once a week during the growing season. 

 The final shift should be given about the first week in June, 

 after which time the points of the shoots should not be 

 pinched. During the whole of the summer they should 

 stand in the open air, giving them watering overhead in the 

 evening after sunset during the hot weather, but discon- 

 tinuing it as autumn advances. As the buds begin to show 

 themselves they should be thinned. If a few fine flowers 

 only are wanted, take all the others away ; but this must be 

 regulated according to what is required of them. When the 



