THE CHKYSANTHEMUM. 



455 



disbudded, they are seldom utilized by those who desire to make a pretty, 

 artistic, floral arrangement, because they lack the grace and elegance 

 that the more open type of growth invariably gives. The only satis- 

 factory method of dealing with plants of this description, is to disbud 

 to one or three buds on each shoot. 



Keener discrimination appears to be necessary by those who determine 

 the merits of new varieties, so that only the more useful plants are 

 recognized. Their usefulness should be gauged on lines somewhat similar 

 to those I have ventured to express. 



We have a host of early-flowering varieties that fall short of the 

 standard required (and now reached by some of the newer ones), that may 

 well be dispensed with, notwithstanding the sentiment that attaches to 

 many of them. 



The cultivation of early-flowering Chrysanthemums has extended by 

 leaps and bounds. For many years they have been popular garden plants, 

 and as the flowers have improved, they have increased in popularity. 

 Many of them will pass through the severest winter season without loss 

 or inconvenience, and in less severe weather the majority of old stools 

 will come through the ordeal unscathed. The ease with which the plants 

 may be propagated should be a further inducement to take up their 

 cultivation. Cuttings inserted in January, as the days appreciably begin 

 to lengthen, invariably root quickly and easily, and their propagation by 

 this means may be continued until May. Pretty plants result from a 

 May insertion of the cuttings. Plants of the ' Madame Marie Masse ' 

 type produce numerous underground, sucker-like growths, that make the 

 division of the plants a matter of comparative ease. It is astonishing 

 what one old stool will divide up into. There are many newer varieties 

 that may be dealt with in similar fashion, and if the division of the 

 roots takes place in early March, the future success of the divided portions 

 is assured. 



Of the early- flowering varieties, the pompons in later years have been 

 supplanted by their more fantastic rivals of Japanese origin. They have 

 been neglected, not because they do not possess excellent characteristics, 

 but probably because the individual flowers are not quite so attractive in 

 appearance. As border plants they are ideal, and their growth in most 

 instances is sturdy and branching. They develop a marvellous crop of 

 dainty flowers, some much larger than others, and with additions made to 

 the section in recent years, there are many very desirable plants now 

 available. When planted in bold groups, or in beds by themselves, they 

 are most effective, and as they keep in good condition for quite a long 

 time, they have a claim upon our consideration when planting for 

 autumnal effects. Only the better ones should be grown, however. 



May I now direct your attention to the Anemone-flowered Chrysan- 

 themums that come into flower in late October, and continue to provide 

 a display of their quaint and curious blossoms throughout the whole of 

 November and, in some instances, in early December ? 



Why these beautiful Chrysanthemums are not more freely grown quite 

 passes my comprehension. Except for an occasional representation of 

 highly-cultivated blooms at a few of our leading shows, these charming 

 decorative blossoms are seldom met with. A few of the public parks do 



