340 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Even if different varieties of chrysanthemums showed buds at the same time, 

 allowance would have to be made for the longer time taken to develop by some than by 

 others. Localities likewise affect the time of flowering, and have to be considered 

 accordingly. The one cardinal point to be remembered is, that the buds of early 

 flowering varieties must be taken late, those of late flowering varieties early, for having 

 expanded blooms of all at the same time. 



Stopping. 



This well-known cultivator's term means topping the growths. Varieties differ so 

 much in their habit and time of flowering that some must be retarded and others 



advanced. This is done by topping the plants 

 instead of allowing them to break naturally. If 

 the earlier flowering varieties, of which Pallanza 

 (Japanese), and Prince Alfred (Incurved) may be 

 taken as familiar examples, were allowed to break 

 naturally, the "crown " buds might be too early, 

 while if the "terminals " were taken the blooms 

 would not be large enough for exhibition. By 

 topping the plants on or about April 26th, it 

 would be possible to "take" or set "second crown" 

 buds late in August and have the best blooms 

 (in most localities) during the first fortnight in 

 November. The first "crown buds" in the case 

 of the Queen of England family seldom prove 

 satisfactory, and the large, perfectly - formed 

 flowers seen at exhibitions mostly result from 

 "second crown" buds. In order to have these, 

 and also the Princess of Teck family, at their best early in November, some, if not all, 

 the young plants should be topped from the 12th to the 20th of April, while that 

 fine variety, Mrs. E. C. Kingston, ought to be topped earlier, or about March 25th. 



Some of the naturally late-flowering Japanese come good from "first crown" buds. 

 Among these varieties are Robert Owen, Lord Brooke, Dorothy Seward, and Beaute 

 Touloussaine. These, then, may be topped as late as the third week in April or first 

 week in May, with a likelihood of the buds showing at the right time for " taking," or, 



Fig. 154. "Terminal" Bud (d). 

 e, e, Side buds, removed for strengthening 

 the bloom. 



