35° 



THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



especially where nothing but chrysanthemums may be used ; also for general decorative 

 purposes. 



Dwarf plants may also be obtained by inserting cuttings of low-growing varieties 

 in March or April. Top the plants when growing freely, and, after the resulting 

 breaks, establish in 6-inch or 7-inch pots. When it is seen which buds give promise 

 of the best blooms, remove the others. In most instances, the bud that first shows 

 may be taken, and the outcome should be neat plants, furnished with good foliage 

 down to the pots, and surmounted with handsome blooms. All plants used for group- 

 ing must be staked, as, unless this is done, the blooms do not show to advantage, and 

 are liable to be damaged in transit. 



Chrysanthemums from Seed. 



Chrysanthemums are easily raised from seed, but, owing to the perfection to which 

 the different sections have attained, valuable novelties among seedlings are few in 

 number. Hundreds of seedling plants may be flowered in a season, and not more than 

 two or three among them prove of any commercial value. Continental and American 

 saved seed may be bought and sown with a chance of something acceptable resulting. 

 The best results, however, attend the practice of sowing home-saved seed, obtained 

 by crossing varieties in the manner indicated on pages 24, 29 — 31. Large show 

 blooms should not be selected for seed-saving, but rather the small flowers produced 

 by semi-starved plants. Artificial fertilisation ought to be carried out on the same 

 blooms daily for a week. Keep the plants in a warm, dry position, or in near 

 proximity to hot-water pipes, and fumigate occasionally, or insect pests may ruin the 

 flowers before the seed has a chance to mature. Finally, harvest the flower-heads in 

 pans or saucers on the hot-water pipes, and clean the seeds directly they shatter 

 freely. 



Early in March sow thinly in pans, cover with squares of glass, and place in a 

 moist, brisk heat. The seeds will germinate in a few days. Gradually expose the 

 seedlings to light and air, and before they become spindly place them on a shelf 

 near the glass in a warm greenhouse. "When large enough (c, page 335), place singly 

 in thumb pots, subsequent treatment being the same as accorded to plants raised 

 from cuttings. After the seedlings have flowered, throw away all that are inferior to- 

 existing varieties, giving only the very best a second trial. 



