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CULTURE OF THE CHINESE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
5. When potted, place them in a frame, and shut them close down with the 
lights, giving no air until they have begun to grow ; also, whilst in this situation, 
they must be kept damp, and shaded from the violence of the sun by a mat. If it 
be not convenient to occupy a frame with them, they will grow very well, although 
not so rapidly, if placed in a somewhat shady situation out of doors, particularly if 
the pots be plunged in the ground. 
6. In May, those placed in frames, and in J une, those placed out of doors, will 
require their leading shoots stopping, in order to induce them to form handsome 
heads. 
7- About the middle of June they will require shifting into a size larger pots, 
and the soil will now need to be made a little stronger than the last potting, by 
adding a little more loam. They must now be placed where they will have the 
benefit of the sun ; and be well watered over head two or three times in a week, if 
the weather be dry. A south-east or south-west aspect we think preferable to one 
due south. 
8. In August, again, shift them into pots from six inches to one foot wide inside 
measure, and the same depth, being governed by the size of the plant and habit 
of the variety intended to be potted. In these pots they will flower, therefore the 
soil mentioned, Rule 1, must now be used, and the plants well watered, to settle the 
soil about them. 
9. Never in potting pare the roots off* with a knife : this is destructive to most 
plants. If the roots have become matted, loosen them a little with the hand. Also 
give to each pot a good drainage ; for although when they are in full vigour they 
require a deal of water, yet they always suffer injury if the water be stagnant. 
10. Suckers are taken from the old plants in April ; these may be either planted 
three in a pot four inches in diameter, or one in each sixty-sized pot. When potted 
they may be treated precisely as recommended for cuttings, shifting as often as they 
require it, until they are finally placed in the flowering pots. 
1 1. Division of the roots is generally performed in February or the beginning of 
March. It consists in nothing more than with a sharp knife or other instrument 
dividing each root into as many parts as it will separate, allowing each part two or 
three shoots. These may be either planted in pots, or beds, or warm flower borders, 
where they may either remain to flower, or be removed, at the option of the 
cultivator. 
12. Layering is performed about the beginning of July; merely peg the shoots 
at the third or fourth joint from the top into pots of soil; and, if watered when 
they require it, they will all be well rooted in three weeks or a month. When 
separated from the parent plants, place them in a shady situation, repot them when 
necessary, and treat them in the same way as cuttings. 
If it is inconvenient to plant either the cuttings, suckers, divided roots, or layers, 
in pots ; they will do very well if planted in a bed made of light soil for the 
purpose. 
It is always advisable where handsome plants are an object, to allow them to 
stand at a sufficient distance from each other, when growing, so as not to injure each 
others’ figure. 
