FOREWORD ) 
This folder is not only a listing of some of the = 
finest outdoor chrysanthemums. It is also our hones’ 
attempt to supply you, the gardener, with informatio: 
to enable you to grow your mums to the best advantage 
and to produce from your plants a wealth of hig 
quality cut-flowers and brilliant autumn garde: 
decoration. 
The suggestions contained herein are based on te: 
years’ experience and observation of chrysanthemun 
behaviour in the irrigated valley lands of southen 
Idaho. However, much the same conditions prevail ove 
at least the western half of the United States wher 
supplemental water during the growing season i 
available. 
In general, plant in ordinary sunny, well-draine: 
garden soil. When your plants arrive get them in th 










working the soil toward the stems of the plants at eacl 
cultivation. Don’t dig deeply after midsummer, a 
chrysanthemums are shallow rooted. After the flowe 
buds have formed, a light feeding of balanced comm: 
ercial fertilizer or pulverized manure worked into thi 
soil lightly, before watering, will improve size anc 
number of flowers and length of stems. 
Mums don’t like wet feet in the winter, and som 
that are reliably winter-hardy under proper ccndition: 
of drainage are badly damaged or killed outright i 
this point is neglected. Divide every second or thir 
year. Old root-bound clumps are of little value wit! 
few flowers and spindly stems. 
PINCHING BACK. This operation is importan 
to make the plant bushy and better able to withstanc 
wind and rain. It also helps increase the amount o 
bloom. Simply pinch out the center of the first shoo 
when 3 to 6 inches high. Laterals then spring from thi 
leaf axils, and when several inches long, are, in thei 
turn, pinched back. Twice pinching is usually sufficien’ 
for most varieties, though some of the more vigorou: 
varieties may be pinched back repeatedly until abou 
the middle of July for midseason bloom. Later pinchin: 
may delay blooming too late. See Fig. 1 for pinchin: 
back detail. 
DISBUDDING. This is used in the production o 
exhibition blooms. When the cluster of buds on eac! 
stem has grown sufficiently, remove all the buds ex 
cept the leaders. (Fig. 2) Some attention should bi 
given the type of growth of each variety to determin 
the best method of doing this. In any event the objec’ 
is to limit the number of flowers that will mature or 
each plant. The entire strength of the plant then goe: 
into the leaders and flowers of astonishing size art 
produced. There is little point in disbudding koreans 
cushions, or the small flowered varieties. Fig. 3 shows : 
plant after proper pinching and disbudding for speci: 
men blooms. 
Some varieties will bloom while the weather i 
still too hot for good flowers. These early buds are bes’ 
pulled off to permit the strength of the plant to go tc 
those later ones that will make good flowers. 
If you wish to grow late varieties, adequate pro- 
tection from wind, rain, and frost should be made 
Many varieties will stand a few cold spells without 
\ 
mam —_aI ono 
damage, if frost is not allowed to settle on the petals 
Don’t miss gathering buds. Buds showing colo), 
taken into a cool room for a week or two will general]; 
open satisfactorily. 
