129 
ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON THE GENUS 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
Chrysanthemum literally means " golden flower," from (xpva-os) chrysos, gold, 
and (avdoi) anthemon, flower. This plant is a native of Japan, and true to the 
general character of the vegetation of that singular, but singularly delightful, 
country, it combines the beauty and splendour of a tropical plant, with the hardi- 
ness of one of the northern mountains. The Chinese are very partial to this 
plant, attend much to its cultivation, and produce very fine specimens, which are 
often grown in china vases, and are highly ornamental, either as in-door or out- 
door decorations. 
The Chrysanthemum was introduced into the British islands from France, 
about the year 1790, and it very speedily recommended itself to the general atten- 
tion of cultivators. The beauty of its leaves, the number and elegance of its 
flowers, its powers of endurance, its delightful fragrance, and above all its standing 
in all its glory when the Dahlia, and the other autumnal beauties of the border, 
have yielded to the severity of the weather, are strong commendations of it. It 
will thrive in almost any soil, or any situation. In borders it looks well as a bush, 
but requires to be tied to a stake, as its branches, though tough, are flexible, and 
if left to themselves would have a ragged and straggling appearance. If, however, 
it is trained on a south wall, it flowers more finely than in any other situation. 
Its culture is so simple, that it is any body's flower. The best soil for it is 
fresh light loam and turf chopped up with frame manure ; and the plants should 
be kept moist during the summer months. It is also easily propagated by cuttings, 
by layers, by dividing the roots, and by seeds. If new varieties are sought after, 
the last mode must be resorted to ; but for mere multiplication of the plants, the 
simplest way is by dividing the roots about the month of March. This may be 
done by a sharp knife, preserving two or three, or more shoots, according to taste. 
These may be planted in borders or in pots, and placed in a south-west aspect 
during the summer. Plants produced by cuttings, are, however, probably the best 
for cleanness of growth and beauty of flower. April or May is the time for taking 
cuttings from the stock. Five or six inches is a good length for the taller varieties, 
and the shortest should not be less than four inches long. They should be cut 
immediately below a joint, and the two bottom leaves taken off", as otherwise they 
would rot and injure the plant. The cuttings may be planted in small pots, in the 
composition above-mentioned, with the addition of a little sand or leaf mould. A 
shaded border is the best place for those pots, and should be plunged in the earth up 
to the rims, and covered with hand glasses till they strike. The best glass is thin 
window glass, for the blown glasses are generally thick at the tops, and thus con- 
centrate the rays of the sun like burning glasses, and scorch the plants. These 
hand glasses should not be more than six inches high, as larger ones are found not 
to answer so well. The plants and glasses should be covered with a mat during the 
VOL. IV.— NO, XLII. s 
