Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-02-27
cHRYsANTAEMuMs.
Some Hints Relating to h Culture o
This Charming Autumn Flower.


This Charming Autumn Flower.
Now that this : charming autumn
flower has become so popular the ques-
ton is repeatedly asked: How shall
we grow u plants to produce the best
results? For exhibition purposes, or for
blooming indoors, it is necessary to pre-
serve them in pots, hence they require
constant attention or failure will be Ger
tain. Late in autumn a good clump Of
each variety desired should be lifted
and potted as stock-plants for propA-
eating purposes. These may easily he
wintered, either in a cold frame. or in b
cool, airy cellar, but if by the formef
method, the pots must be plunged il
coal ashes to prevent injury. "A.
Early in spring, say by March LIST,
the plants may be given a slight heat
to start growth, which is readily excit-
ed, and as soon as the young shoots are
two or three inches in length, they may
be cut Off smoothly, the bottom leaves
removed and the cuttings inserted in
w~ell-drained boxes or pots of sand.
Roots will quickly and easily form, after
which the new plants should be ported
off singly into two and a half or three
inch pots. 1t will be necessary to keep
them in a low temperature to prevent a
soft, %succulent growth, as no flower
yields more quickly to heat than the
chrysanthemum.
AS soon as the young plant begins to
grow the center should be pinched out,
so as to insure side shoots, and when
the latter have developed three or tour
leaves their tips should also be pinched
in like manner The object in this is
to induce a round, compact head, SO
that at maturity it may present a per-
feet globe of bloom. Pinching must be
resorted to as the shoots are formed
and grow, until the LIST of August,
when they must be allowed to mature,
else will the tiower-buds be injured.
Various other forms are adopted for
training this plant, but the globular
will be found the most %tractable.
The best soil for the chrysanthemum
is a loose. fr.able loan, we'll enriched
with thoroughly decayed mature, and
the plants when growing should re-
ceive an occasional dose Of weak liquid
manure. AS the pots become filed
with roots-which may be ascertained
by carefully turning out the ball-they
must receive a larger SIZE, not forget
ting to ram the soil gently all around
the edges, or, as gardeners say, s.tirm''
it. Use plenty Of drainage, for, not
withstanding this plant loves plenty of
moisture, it will not thrive with old
stagnant water in the soil.
AS soon as the weather has settled
in spring, and danger from frost has
passed, the pots should be sunk in the
ground up to the rims, and a slight
mulch applied to the surface of the
soil. Water freely, and syringe daily
excepting in wet weather. Perhaps
the greatest pest to the chrysanthemum
is a little black aphis which appears in
immense numbers on the tips and suc-{
culcnt young wood. These may be-
dislodged by busting snuff owe them,
or spr.nkling with tobacco-water. Py-
rethrum-powder is also efficacious.
This flower may be grown in the
usual way to form fine specimens if
only a little care is bestowed during
the summer. In short, make the soil
rich, pinch frequently while the plant
is young, mulch, water should the
weather be dry, and keep off the in
sects. At the North, set the plants on
a warm southern exposure, SO that
bloom may be secured before frost.
The varieties are now so numerou that
to present a list OF the best would be
useless, as almost any responsible
florist can furnish a beautiful collection
in all the numerous classes. Some OF
the new Japanese introductions are re-
markable examples of grotesqueness,
as we'll as beauty, resembling rich
silken fringes of brilliant colors.-
Josiah Hopes, IN A. Y. Tribune.