66 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
in the case of growers whose demands are limited, is a simple 
and ready means of increasing their stock of plants. In the 
spring, right away until the early summer, many of the old 
plants are bristling with growths of a most desirable kind, 
and if left to develop the whole of them, they would make 
tremendous bushes, but the quality of the flowers and the 
character of their growths would leave much to be desired. 
If not divided, the growths should be rigorously thinned out. 
These plants may be lifted quite easily, and may be divided 
into numerous pieces. A good sharp knife, or any other 
equally serviceable implement (which must be strong) must be 
used for the purpose of dividing up the growths. 
Some plants are more easily divided than others, and may 
be broken into pieces of different sizes whth little or no 
trouble. Others, however, are equally difficult of division, 
emitting their growths so close to the base of the old stem, 
thus making their division a matter of considerable difficulty. 
It is possible, however, with this kind of plant to take off the 
low'er growths, which, in many instances, have a few roots 
adhering. They may be broken off individually, or in small 
pieces of two or three growths, and such pieces w-ill sub- 
sequently develop into beautiful plants for autumn flow'ering. 
There is still a third class of plants which rarely, if ever, 
make any sucker-like growths but develop shoots only on the 
portion of the old stem retained. Unfortunately, this type of 
plant produces flowers of the very best. It is a matter for 
regret to those who have to follow this method of increasing 
their stock of plants that they can do little or nothing with 
them. 
Any time from the middle of March onwards may be chosen 
for carrying out the division of these plants. The earlier the 
better, as they divide more readily, and when transplanted 
without delay, get well established before the warm weather is 
with us. If left until the late spring or early summer they will 
need more watching and encouragement to get them into good 
condition, and never go away w’ith that free growth that this 
work, when done earlier, invariably sees. The divided pieces, 
when transplanted, should be given plenty of room. It is a 
great mistake to crowd them, as they invariably make larger 
plants than the smaller plants from rooted cuttings, and their 
