CHAPTER III 



Preparing the Soil and Propagating 



Character of soil — Manure — Composting — Condition of soil 

 used — Getting stock plants in condition for taking cuttings 

 — Arrangements for propagating — The north-side propagating 

 house — Cuttings in boxes or pots — Division of old plants — 

 Propagating for specimen bush plants and standards — For cut 

 blooms and small pot plants — Grafting 



One of the most important operations 

 connected with the growing of good chrysan- 

 themums, either large plants or fine blooms, 

 is that of procuring and preparing the proper 

 soil for them. If possible, this should be 

 done the autumn previous to the season 

 when it will be required. Otherwise it 

 must be prepared as early in the spring as 

 possible. 



mechanical character of the soil 



The mechanical character, or texture, of 

 the soil is of greater importance than its 

 chemical character or fertility. The chem- 

 ical elements required by the plants 

 can be supplied after the plants have been 

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