68 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
cannot be treated until spring. In many cases, too, the 
grower has to wait until his bulbs have finished flowering, in 
which case full justice cannot be done to the soil. Notwith- 
standing these disadvantages, the garden should be deeply dug 
as early as possible subsequent to the flowering period of the 
bulbs already referred to. Observe the same rule with regard 
to deep culture and the incorporation of well-rotted manure in 
this case, as was generally recommended at the beginning of 
this note. In all cases, where digging has been done some 
time previous to planting, the surface soil should be left in a 
rough condition. In this way, however limited the time may 
be in which the soil is exposed to the weather, really beneficent 
work by atmospheric conditions, is being carried on. There 
is more in the preparation of the garden soil than many persons 
are aware, and for this reason, if it be possible, let the work be 
done in the winter time. 
With reference to the manure incorporated at the time of 
digging, consideration of the soil one has to deal with should 
be observed. In soils of a light and sandy or peaty character, 
well-rotted cow manure should be added. This is cooler and 
heavier in its character, and is better calculated to meet the 
need of such gardens than any other. By the same rule, soil 
of a heavy and retentive kind needs the incorporation of 
manure of a lighter character, and for this reason horse 
manure, with plenty of litter, should be used, rather than that 
of any other kind. About a week before the planting is done, 
it is a good plan to fork over the surface soil, breaking it up 
and levelling it down, so that the planting may be done 
expeditiously. 
Planting. — Opinions differ respecting the time when 
planting should be done. This diverse opinion is generally 
traced to the difference of opinions held by the trade and 
the private grower. The writer unhesitatingly states that no 
planting should be done until about the middle to the third 
week in May. This has been his practice for some score 
years, and during that period he has never felt safe in planting 
earlier. This, of course, refers to stock raised in the early 
spring, and subsequently hardened off, and in no case does it 
refer to old stools that are divided in the spring. 
