CHRYSANTHEMUMS : PLANTS FOR GROUPING. 



349 



as with the other trained plants. All must receive the same careful attention in 

 syringing, watering, and feeding as advised in the case of plants to produce exhibition 

 blooms. The clear stems of a portion of the plants that have produced show blooms 

 may be shortened to a length of 30 inches, or rather less, and those that break well 

 will then be suitable for growing and training as standards, treating them in much the 

 same way as recommended for dwarf cut-backs. 



Bush Plants. — Handsome specimens which would not offend on account of undue 

 formality in training, can be grown either from early-struck cuttings or from cut-backs, 

 treating them very similarly to the dwarf trained specimens with this material differ- 

 ence, that each shoot resulting from the late June topping shall receive a single light 

 stake, arranging the growths without depression, so that all the blooms are uniformly 

 disposed in a full rounded form. Hints on the preparation of plants for room decora- 

 tion will follow in due course under " Commercial Floriculture." 



Plants for Grouping. 



Groups are frequently arranged in the semi-circular form, and for the centres some 

 of the taller untopped plants, grown to produce large blooms, are of good service. 

 Next to these may be arranged a series of plants dwarfed by topping in March or April. 

 At one time the plan of cutting back strong, single-stemmed plants was more practised 

 than it is now. Those who would like to give this plan a trial should proceed on these 

 lines. The plants to be operated upon ought to be in G-inch pots, and well furnished 

 with leaves down to the soil. Commence by cutting back the latest flowering varieties 

 on or about June 1st, following a week later with the mid-season varieties, finishing 

 with the earlier flowering sorts a week later still. The stems may be left of various 

 lengths, cutting down some to within 3 inches, some to 6 inches and the rest to 

 9 inches of the pots. Thin the resulting shoots to two, or at the most three, on 

 each plant, and soon after give the final shift into 8-inch or 9-inch pots. Duly 

 support with stakes, and the buds will show during the second and third weeks in 

 August, when they ought to be "taken," with every prospect of developing into fine 

 blooms. In the north, cutting back may be practised in May. 



The tops of these strong young plants cut off in June may be placed singly in small 

 pots and rooted in a close frame. If given one shift the majority may be made to 

 produce a fine bloom, from 6 inches to 2 feet from the pots, and if the foliage be good 

 these plants will be found of the greatest service for arranging in the fronts of groups, 



