November 2, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
403 
ensuring rapid and perfect development of the flowers, we hear many 
complaints of heavy losses through damp. Few growers perhaps alto¬ 
gether escape its damaging effect upon some of their flowers, but 
wholesale damping, such as we sometimes hear of, may, in my opinion, 
be prevented if sound judgment as well as assiduous attention are 
bestowed upon the management of both the plants and the houses in 
interests of all to be thoroughly thrashedi out, seeing ^how many grand 
blooms are each year lost through the inroads of this dread enemy 
Observation has taught me that there are three distinct kinds of 
damping ; the most common form is for the lower florets of the flowers 
to become discoloured at the points, and if not removed promptly to 
decay the entire length, and probably convey the germs of decay to the 
Fig. 59.—chrysanthemum THE TRIBUNE. (^See page 406.) 
which they are arranged. Although I have no wish to pose as an egotist 
I feel some satisfaction in the fact that during the ten years in which I 
have grown Chrysanthemums on the “large bloom” principle very few 
losses have been experienced through damping. If the causes and 
prevention of it, which I am about to advance, do not agree with the 
teachings of the giants in Chrysanthemum culture, they will be doing 
both me and many other readers of the Journal good service by setting 
us right in the matter, for I consider it a subject which lought in [the 
centre of the flower. This is frequently brought about by great 
fluctuations in the condition and the soil in regard to moisture. Plants 
which do not retain their foliage well till the opening of^ the flowers is 
well advanced are invariably extremely sluggish in their root action ; 
under such circumstances, if water is given before the soil is dry enough 
to admit of the pots ringing sharply when rapped, daniping inevitably 
follows sooner or later. It may be noticed the following day if damp 
or foggy weather prevails. Sometimes strong healthy plants carrying 
