PREPARING SOIL AND PROPAGATING 39 



and repeat. The cuttings, if strong, may 

 be about two inches apart in the rows; if 

 weak, closer. The rows may also be closer 

 than three inches, if it is desired to utilize 

 space to the best advantage. As soon as 

 the cuttings are in the sand they should be 

 given a thorough watering, and must never 

 be allowed to suffer for want- of moisture. 

 Cuttings should be well rooted in from two 

 to three weeks, without bottom heat; 

 with it, in from ten to fifteen days. 

 Propagation may also be effected by divi- 

 sion of the old plants, or, rather, by carefully 

 removing the young shoots with the roots 

 that have already formed in the soil. This 

 method is rarely practised, but may some- 

 times be used for getting bush plants or 

 standards started early. 



GRAFTING FOR STANDARDS 



Grafting the chrysanthemum is but rarely 

 practised, although the operation is not 

 difficult. Whenever it is done it is gener- 

 ally for the novelty of having two or more 

 colours, or varieties, produced by one plant. 

 It has occasionally been done for the purpose 



