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CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
When to Insert the Cuttings.— Opinions differ as to 
the period when cuttings should be inserted. It does not 
follow that because cuttings of exhibition varieties are 
propagated in late November and December it is neces- 
sary to take in hand the decorative and early-flowering 
garden varieties at the same time. Much depends upon 
what object the grower may have in view. Should his 
aim be the production of large plants of a bushy character 
or the development of bush plants for exhibition, an early 
start may be made. December may well be selected for 
commencing operations, and if all subsequent work be 
carried out at the proper period, there should be little 
difficulty in achieving his purpose. On the other hand, if 
ordinary decorative plants for greenhouse or conservatory 
embellishment be the one object of attainment, or a collec- 
tion of plants for cut flower purposes be desired, January 
is an excellent time to take them in hand. Their propa- 
gation may begin in the early days of January, and 
cuttings may continue to be inserted during February, 
March, April, and May. Of course, the later the propa- 
gation is carried out, the smaller will be the plant, but 
charming plants, to flower in some of the smaller-sized 
pots, may be obtained from a late period of propagation. 
Compost.— Having considered the questions of cuttings 
and the different methods of their propagation, we may 
now give a little thought to the preparation of a suitable 
compost. Absolutely fresh soil should be used at aU 
times, and the best interests of the plants are served when 
really good soils are used in this early work. Equal 
parts of loam and leaf-mould are the chief ingredients of 
this compost, and to the foregoing should be added about 
one-eighth part of coarse silver sand. The loam should 
be of light texture, and the leaf-mould thoroughly well 
decayed. Pass the ingredients of the compost through a 
sieve with a half-inch mesh, and before mixing, add 
thereto a free sprinkling of crushed charcoal. Mix 
thoroughly, and, if possible, prepare the heap a few days 
