POTTING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



337 



"wiry," as shown at a, Fig. 152, from which state they seldom recover, whereas they 

 ought to be sturdy, as in b. For this shift into perfectly clean 6 -inch pots, use a 

 compost of two parts of fibrous loam, one part leaf soil, half a part of partially decayed 

 horse-manure, and sharp sand. Drain the pots, protect the drainage, and pack the new 

 soil as firmly as that containing the roots, which must not be disturbed. Eeturn the 

 plants to frames or shallow pits, which keep close for two or three days. Spray 

 the plants occasionally during the early part of clear days, and give a gentle yet 

 thorough watering four or five days after re-potting. Directly the plants appear to 

 have recovered from the slight check caused by shifting, admit abundance of air in the 

 day-time and a little on mild nights, but protect from frosts. As the sun gains power, 

 more water will be required, taking care that the leaves never droop by want of it. 

 Towards the end of April, the more forward will need additional room and must have 

 abundance of air. If they can be protected from frosts and screened from cold winds 

 by a framework and thick cotton blinds, the strong plants may be placed out of doors 

 on a bed of coarse ashes, more room being then allowed for the smaller and later still 

 under glass. 



Final Potting. — This work may be commenced about the middle of May, and if 

 the more backward plants are finished by the middle of June, they ought to do well. 

 Varieties delicate in constitution may be flowered in 9-inch pots, the more robust 

 in the 10-inch size. A very rich compost is not desirable, as this is liable to promote 

 too soft growth at the outset. The objects in view are (1) the production of an 

 abundance of roots in soil containing enough food to sustain sturdy growth, and (2) the 

 formation of leaves of a durable, disease-resisting character. 



A suitable compost may be provided by mixing three parts of the best brown fibrous 

 loam roughly broken up and the finer portions discarded, one each of leaf soil and 

 horse-droppings, sweetened as for a mushroom bed, and half a part of crushed mortar 

 rubbish. To every bushel of the compost, add a 6-inch potful each of soot and bone- 

 meal, also a sprinkling of wood ashes and sharp sand, the whole to be thoroughly in- 

 corporated. When the loam is deficient in fibre and liable to run together, there is 

 the greater need to use mortar rubbish and more leaf soil, with a sprinkling of charcoal 

 for keeping the compost porous and sweet. Experts prepare their potting soil several 

 weeks before using it, and also take care to keep it somewhat dry. If in a wet state 

 when used, ramming it down hard excludes the air. It ought to be made very firm, 

 to induce a multitude of root-fibres, yet sufficiently porous for the free passage of 



VOL. i. xx 



