Border chrysanthemums. 
287 
enough for planting. May is the best time for planting in most 
districts, and so the date of propagation must be governed somewhat 
by the proposed date of planting, and of course by the class of plant 
desired at planting time. 
To ensure good cuttings the care of the stock plant is important, 
and where possible these should be lifted in the autumn before the 
advent of severe frost, and placed in a cold house or frame where 
frost can be excluded, lightly covering the roots with fine soil. 
Very little or no water will be necessary during the winter months, 
but plenty of ventilation should be given. Many shoots will be 
thrown up during January and early February, and usually they 
are pretty strong. They should be removed with a knife at or just 
beneath the surface of the soil and thrown away, and the next lot 
of cuttings, though not so strong, will be better and likely to root more 
evenly than the first, the lengthening days and stronger light keeping 
them harder. A moderately hard cutting not only roots quicker but 
emits many more roots than a large sappy one, and the growth of 
every plant is governed by the amount of serviceable roots it has. 
A light sandy compost should be used for propagating, but whether 
this is made up in the form of a bed in a moderately cool house or 
frame or in boxes is quite immaterial, either method having its ad- 
vantages ; but it is essential for the cuttings to be made quite firm 
in the compost and well watered in, afterwards keeping them close 
till roots are emitted, when the young plants should be gradually 
hardened off by giving more air day by day. 
Where only a few dozen plants are grown it may be an advantage 
at this stage to pot them off singly into small pots, but where they 
are being cultivated in large numbers this is unnecessary, the best 
plan being to box them off or plant them out in three or four inches 
of soil in frames at from four to six inches apart. 
It may be necessary to keep them close for a few days after potting 
or replanting, but great care should be exercised, as too free growth 
is the one thing to be guarded against, and for this reason also the 
watering must be very sparingly done, particularly if they are planted 
out, just sufficient being given to prevent flagging. Once they have 
lifted their heads after replanting or potting plenty of air will be 
necessary to ensure sturdy growth, and as at this date the days generally 
will be fairly warm the lights should be removed entirely whenever 
the weather is fine. 
Potted plants will take a great deal more water when they become 
well rooted than those planted out, and though I strongly urge the 
necessity for care in this direction they must not be stunted by 
being kept too dry. 
Sometimes during April aphides will make their appearance in the 
points of the shoots, but one or two light sprayings with an insecticide 
will quickly eradicate this pest. Towards the time for planting out 
the lights should be removed night and day, and everything done to 
ensure hardiness in the young plants. 
