52 THE FLORIST. 
CULTURE OF THE POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
I HAVE been induced to pen the following from the perusal of various 
treatises by different practical growers on the culture of that beautiful 
autumn flower, the Pompone Chrysanthemum. In these short works 
I have noticed remarkable omissions of most particularly important 
points; and it is to supply these omissions that I have jotted down a 
few plain directions for the benefit of your readers. The course of 
treatment herein recommended is the one which I have pursued with 
the success alluded to in the Gardeners’ Chronicle for 1858 and 1859, 
in the ‘‘ Midland Florist,” and in many other papers not devoted 
exclusively to horticultural subjects. Six first prizes in two years suf- 
ficiently attest the merits of my plan of cultivation, and render needless 
anything that I can say in its praise. I have omitted no point what- 
soever, have kept nothing secret, but have disclosed the whole truth 
and nothing but the truth. Great as is the perfection to which the 
Pompone has been brought by skilful nurture, yet we may hope for 
even larger results, from greater experience, not so much in the size of 
the plant as in the quality of the flower. As regards the former par- 
ticular we desire nothing better than what we have obtained, seeing 
that we have grown plants in 8-inch pots, and on a single stem, more 
than 44 feet across, and bearing from 1000 to 1200 flowers. But if 
we direct our attention too exclusively to size of plant, we are apt to 
lose sight of quality in the bloom. By quality we mean not only the 
size but also the colour, which we esteem far more than extraordinary 
largeness in the plant. 
- I shall commence my remarks with the treatment of the plant in its 
earliest stage, putting them, for brevity and clearness sake, in the form 
of a monthly register. 
December.—Select the strongest cuttings from healthy plants, zhose 
variety 1s true; extract all leaves and eyes to the height of about three 
inches. Put each cutting in a three-inch pot, in compost, which should 
consist of rich loam and silver sand. Then plunge the pot in a cold 
frame filled with ashes, taking care to exclude frost and chilling winds. 
Water sparingly. 
January—The plants will just be starting. Keep them in the 
same state, gradually hardening them by admitting more air. 
February.—Repot into 48's. Add to the compost old cowdung and 
broken oyster-shells. Place the plants in the same frame ; give them 
? a every suitable opportunity abundance of air, keeping them moderately 
amp. 
March.—Continue the same course. Toward the end of the month 
the earlier plants will be far enough advanced for their first stop. 
_ April—TVhe plants are now growing rapidly, and require shifting 
into 82-sized pots. Give them plenty of drainage, and use as rich a 
compost as you can. I employ one composed of rich fibrous loam, 
cow and pigeon dung, silver sand, and a little soot. Water con- 
tinually with weak liquid manure, and keep them exposed as much as 
