Boe bolo BR 
MUMS 
BA OUR 
SHADING FOR 
EARLINESS 
‘Supplementing the 
suggestions already 
made on this subject 
we call special atten- 
tion to the use of sound 
or new cloth for shad- 
ing. Most material 
when used a few sea- 
sons does not shut out 
enuf light. This some- 
times seriously delays 
bud setting. The use of 
a rubberized cloth tends 
to shut out air circula- 
tion, encouraging the 
spread of rot. This can 
be overcome by remov- 
ing or lifting the side 
cloth. Should it become 
increasingly difficult to 
get suitable cloth, it 
might be well to know 
that a good grade of 
kraft paper can be used 
and that if cared for it 
will hold up 2-3 seasons. 
We bought our supply 
of this in 1940 from the 
Sisalkraft Co., 205 W. 
Wacker Drive, Chicago, 
at 22c per sq. yd. Mums 
are what are known as 
“short day” plants 
which means that bud 
formation is brought on by shortening 
fall days. If the days did not shorten 
growth would continue without bud form- 
ation. 
formation with artificial lights. To bring 
about bud formation shade is applied 
at 5 P.M. and removed at 7 A.M. At 
5 P.M. total darkness is of course not 
attained with shade. The degree necessary 
might be referred to as fairly dark. Mea- 
sured by a light meter the light should 
not exceed 2 ft. candles. If greater, bud 
setting will be delayed accordingly. The 
shade is maintained on pompons until the 
latest buds show color. With the large 
standards shade should be applied until 
buds are about % in. in diameter. From 
3-4 weeks shading is usually necessary. 
Approximately 60 days from the start of 
Shading is necessary to fully developed 
flowers, but this will vary the naturally 
early varieties making it some earlier. 
house. 

This is proven by delaying bud. 
Here’s Sisalkraft paper ‘‘on the job’’—The end of the house in the foreground 
is already coyered, while a roof roll is being pulled down over the side of the 
The chap manipulating the ropes is ‘‘Bob’’ Goetz, grower in charge. 
We do not recommend the earliest shad- 
ing to start much before July 15, for the 
demand for mums is not very active be- 
fore mid-Sept. We suggest starting shade 
with a limited area on the above date, 
starting another lot July 25. When 
flowered before Sept. 15 in our latitude 
there is danger of loss thru high temper- 
atures softening flowers which invites de- 
cay under excessive moisture conditions. 
Unless naturally hard standards are used 
there is some danger after Sept. 15: but 
after this date weather is generally favor- 
able and demand active. 
TO DELAY FLOWERING 
This procedure is the reverse of black 
cloth shading for early setting of buds. 
It is sometimes of considerable value in 
extending the flowering period of espe- 
cially well liked kind. 
It is accomplished thru prolonging day- 
light with electric lights as already sug- 
a8 She ee 
