1 Dec., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 559 
If strong crowns have been planted, it will be found that a number of 
shoots will appear ; remove all the weak ones, leaving two or three at the most. 
As these continue to grow, keep them tied to a good stout stake. If this is 
neglected they will be sure to break, as the stems are very brittle. Never 
let the plants suffer from want of water; and an occasional drench of manure 
water will be beneficial. Ags the plants start to show flower buds, a judicious 
thinning out is necessary, especially if flowers are grown for exhibition 
purposes. . The primary blooms are usually the best, although good blooms may 
be had on the secondary laterals. The plants are much benefited by cutting the 
looms when matured. ~ 
_ After the flowering season is over, the plants will begin to look a bit 
shabby, and you feel tempted to cut them down; but if you wish for good 
tubers, don’t do so; allow all the sap to return back to the rootstock before 
you use the knife. Dahlias are propagated by division of the roots, and in all 
cases of division a portion of the main crown should be attached. A tuber 
without a crown bud will more often rot than grow. Plants are easily raised 
by means of cuttings, which root most readily. Cuttings may be had of the 
young shoots springing from the crown, shortly after they begin to spring up, 
or from short lateral growths on the main stems. Sandy compost is best for 
striking purposes, and pots or pans are the best receptacles. 
The roots of old plants may be lifted at the end of.summer and stored in a 
dry place till the following spring. The time for planting extends from 
October to January. Cactus dahlias are frequently raised from seed, and 
numerous interesting varieties are thereby secured, and the best ones can always 
be perpetuated by means of tubers. 
There is one dahlia which [ regret to say is seldom seen nowadays, but 
which is well worth a place in the garden. I refer to Dahlia imperialis. 
In favoured soil and localities, it will grow to a height of 10 feet and produce 
an abundance.of handsome pendulous blooms of pale lavender colour. The 
roots of this variety may be left in the ground undisturbed, adding annually a 
liberal manuring. ; 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
By W. SOUTTER, Inspector of State Farms. 
The chrysanthemum being one of our chief autumn flowers, and one which 
on account of its extreme hardiness is now common in most gardens, is a 
favourite with most people. There are few plants that respond so readily to 
liberal treatment as does the chrysanthemum. Of late years the rage has been 
to produce blooms of great size at the expense of number. These monster 
show blooms are right enough on the stage at a show, but most people will 
agree with me that for decorative purposes the small and medium blooms 
commend themselves to the decoration of the table and drawing-room. 
The chrysanthemum, whose variety is legion, can be grown in almost any 
part of Queensland, provided it can be supplied with a liberal watering during 
the growing period. Yet, under special conditions, it will flourish and produce 
better blooms. 
The amateur who secures a chrysanthemum for his garden invariably sticks 
it into some corner, and leaves the rest to Nature. It grows on from year to 
year until it covers a patch of ground half-a-yard square. He gets a prolific 
crop of small flowers in the autumn, and is quite contented. 
But the amateur who “enthuses” over the chrysanthemum adopts a 
different method. He gets a plant and takes every care to hasten and develop 
its growth; he feeds, waters, prunes, disbuds, and keeps it tied to stakes ; and 
when the blooms emerge from the calyx, he shades them from the fierce sun. 
