68 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



far as possible too soft a growth in the plant, which at this season is 

 apt to be very rapid under the influence of more genial weather 

 conditions. 



When replacing in the frames, allow sufficient space between the 

 plants for development during the next month or five weeks, and so 

 obviate the necessity of shifting them again before they are placed in 

 the open air. 



Within two or three days after potting they should be well watered 

 in, after which due care must be taken till the plants are well rooted, 

 and even then too generous treatment in this respect only results in 

 very soft growth, which is the one thing to be avoided in the cultivation 

 of Chrysanthemums. 



The days being now very warm, it is not advisable to keep the plants 

 close after potting, but admit plenty of air, and, to avoid any tendency 

 to flag, spray the plants overhead as often as necessary. When the 

 roots are running freely in the new soil, remove the light entirely 

 whenever the weather permits it. 



Varieties being grown for exhibition will require staking before 

 being placed in the open early in May, as will also a good many of the 

 decorative varieties, and it is advisable to put stakes to those sufficiently 

 long to carry them until they are placed in their summer quarters. 



By the second week in May the forward plants will again be ready 

 for potting, this time into their flowering-pots. 



The soil for this purpose should be mixed a few weeks beforehand, 

 and should be rougher and of a more holding nature than before. 

 Good loam, well -rotted manure, bonemeal, wood ashes, and old mortar 

 rubble make a good compost with sufficient coarse sand or grit to 

 make it somewhat porous. 



The pots — as at all previous pottings — should be clean and well 

 crocked. The latter is essential, as if the pots are well crocked a very 

 wet period has not the bad effect on the plants that it would have if the 

 drainage were defective. 



If the soil is in a proper condition as regards moisture, it cannot be 

 made too firm in the pots (within reason) ; and when more than one 

 man is potting a batch of plants it is wise for the plants they pot to be 

 kept separate, as the difference in two or more individuals' potting is 

 so great as to make a good deal of difference in the watering. 



The plants should stand quite close together for a week or two after 

 the final potting, for convenience in spraying ; it also keeps the soil 

 from drying out as quickly as it would do if the plants were spaced out, 

 and so root growth is increased and the plants get over the check 

 much more quickly. 



If the weather is hot and dry, watering in must be done the second 

 day after potting or the plants may become what is termed ball 

 dry, and if this happens it may take quite a long time to get them 

 soaked again. 



This has to be guarded against, particularly when the plants happen 

 to have been left too long and become pot-bound in the 48's or 32's ; 

 but I should like to emphasize the necessity of getting them potted 



