74 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
or other manures during their growing period. These plants 
should not be fed until the buds are formed and well set. 
When this is so, periodical applications may be given. In dry 
weather, first give the roots a watering with clear water, follow- 
ing this with manure water, varied in its character from time 
to time. (See Chapter IV. for general hints on feeding.) 
Staking and Tying. — When plants are first placed 
outdoors they should have the support of a short stake, and 
the tying and looping, as recommended for pot plants, observed 
also in this case. In a very little while they will need stakes 
of a stronger character, and taller also. 
Bamboo canes are more often used than any others, 
although stout hazel stakes, as used for dahlias, are to be pre- 
ferred. What are really wanted are hazel stakes, rather less in 
substance than those ordinarily used for dahlias, and about 
one foot less in length. They may be purchased from any 
horticultural sundriesman, and if lifted after their season’s work 
and placed under cover, will last for several years. These 
stouter stakes should be inserted as soon as the garden plants 
begin to branch out into new growths ; and continuously from 
this point, until they are in full blossom, they should be over- 
looked each week, and their requirements in respect to tying 
carefully carried out. If this be not observed, many fine 
branching shoots will most assuredly break out, and spoil the 
beauty of the appearance of the collection, and also the loss of 
many blooms, when the flowering season comes round. 
Under no circumstances should the growths be tied too 
tightly, as this is fatal to a really pretty display in the outdoor 
garden. Plants must have a free space in which to develop 
their numerous shoots, and, as the majority of them are 
possessed of a delightful branching habit, the grower should 
see to it that the natural characteristics of the plant are 
preserved. 
Treatment when in Flower. — The labours of the 
year are almost over when the garden varieties come into 
flower, the only concern of the grower at this time being to 
maintain the display as long as possible. Seeing that some 
varieties come into flower so early as August, and the same 
