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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



more attention than formerly, and are becoming popular. Classes are provided for them 

 at the leading shows. Single chrysanthemums may be of any size, but must not contain 

 more than a double row of ray florets, nor disc florets of sufficient length to form a 

 raised cushion, as in the case of anemone-flowered varieties. The florets, whether 

 stout and rigid or long and drooping, should be arranged sufficiently close together to 

 form a dense fringe. Points of merit insisted upon are lightness with elegance of 

 outline ; freshness and clearness of colour. Defects : Coarseness and excess of florets ; 

 florets incurving ; staleness and dulness with confusion of disc. 



Cultueal Details. 



Propagation. — Chrysanthemums are principally raised from cuttings, seed sowing 

 being resorted to only with a view to obtaining new varieties. Opinions vary as to the 

 best time to commence inserting cuttings, but no mistake will be made by starting with 

 the later flowering varieties at the end of November, and continuing with them, 

 according as the cuttings are fit, throughout December. The mid-season varieties, which 

 can easily be flowered during the first fortnight in November, may be rooted late in 

 December and throughout January ; while those which are disposed to flower in October, 

 but are wanted to be at their best in November, may be propagated during January 

 and February. 



The best cuttings are stout sucker growths that protrude through the soil. Shoots 

 obtained from the hard stems are inferior and often furnished with a flower bud (see 

 Fig. 151 a). If the better cuttings are not available just when wanted they must be 

 waited for and taken when ready, even if the month of March is reached. Give 

 preference to growths that push up well away from the stems, leaving them till 3 to 4 

 inches long, and duly shorten to a joint as shown at b in the illustration. They strike 

 the most quickly round the sides of 4-inch pots (d), but succeed well inserted singly 

 in thumb pots (e). The pots must be clean, well drained and firmly filled with a 

 mixture of two parts of sifted loam and one part leaf soil with sharp sand added,, 

 facing the surface with pure sand. Four cuttings at the most may be placed in each 

 4-inch pot, and they must rest on a firm base made with a blunt dibber, affixing them 

 firmly. The sturdiest plants are obtained singly in small pots. 



Strong heat is not advisable, as it weakens the cuttings and plants. The cuttings 

 must be kept fresh ; every hour during which they flag is so much time taken from th& 

 rooting. Handlights are suitable for the purpose, but plain boxes, 9 inches deep>, 



