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CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Some growers have a weakness for plunging their pots 
several inches in the ground, and while it must be 
admitted this saves the more frequent use of the water 
pot, it cannot be denied that when the time comes for 
housing, it has its disadvantages. Invariably, when lift- 
ing the pots, which have been plunged in the manner 
above described, the roots have found their way through 
the hole in the bottom of the pot, and have worked into 
the adjoining soil. As a consequence, when the plants 
are lifted, these roots have to be ruthlessly torn away, 
thus causing a very severe check to the plants, and at a 
time when they are least prepared to experience the same. 
See that the pots are stood perfectly level, as this is of 
much importance when water has to be applied. If they 
are not absolutely level, the latter cannot percolate evenly 
through the soil in the pots, one side getting a larger pro- 
portion of water than the other, and progress under such 
conditions cannot be made. The stakes in the pots 
should be securely tied to the cross rows of wire, other- 
wise, as the growths become cumbersome and strong 
winds prevail, they will shift their position and may break 
off, and also cause a strain on the surface roots to the 
detriment of the plants. 
Final Potting. — Ihe final potting of decorative chry- 
santhemums, no matter what their character may be, 
should be carefully carried out. There is one consolation 
regarding the culture of decorative varieties, and that is, 
there is not the anxious concern with such plants as there 
is with those grown for exhibition purposes. Neverthe- 
less, the old adage says, “ What is worth doing at all is 
worth doing well,” and for this reason, therefore, the first 
concern of the grower should be the compost. 
Loam of a good and lasting character is an essential 
factor in the successful culture of these plants, and care 
should be taken to secure a sufficient quantiy of this in- 
gredient ; keep it in a cool shed or under cover, so that 
