Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-05
HOW TO GROW
BIG CHRYSANTHEMUMS

So many inquiries have been made OF
the members Of the West End Flower club
as TO how they grow their fine chrysanthe-
NUNS. that they desire 70 answer them all
at once through the columns Of The Jour-
nal They give the following information
which viii be Of interest just now to all
flower growers:
From the middle Of April to the middle
Of Nay is the time TO set out chrysanthe-
NUNS. We intend to plant about May 1st.
Give some reliable florist your order.
asking him 20 select for you an assortment
or early blooming varieties. He viii sell
them at 80 cents per dozen. We have
sent no further OF than Gainesville, Ga.
for ours, because we understood that
there we could get plants grown out OF
doors, which, for our climate might have
the advantage OF those from northern
greenhouses.
Prepare your beds swell To ordinary
garden soil add little rotted manure free
from saw dusD and enough sand to make
the mixture light II must be pulverized
and well drained. but not necessarily rich
er than for common vegetables. Put cut
the plants IL feet apart. and shade.
without excluding the air. for about six
days. Do not allow them to suffer for
water. but too much may cause them to
rot.
After they are set, water frequently.
and do not forget 70 loosen the soil with
hoe, IL the ground looks packed. When
they are eight inches high. pinch off the
tops in order to make them branch out.
The uninitiated grower Is apt To be dis
mayed at the success Of this manOevre,
but il is entirely normal for a bud 20 ap-
pear at the base OF each leaf. Simply
pinch out all except the highest three. so
that the strength OF the plant may go into
these, each OF which Is 70 bear one flower;
for a vigorous out-of-doOr plant will pro-
duce three magnificent blooms. You viii
find that this budding process will con-
tinue all summer. Let the dis-budding
continue also.
The beds viii need hoeing every few
weeks. and the plants must never be al
lowed 10 droop for want OF water. If well
drained. chrysanthemums viii drink in
credibly; otherwise they rot.
When the plants are IS inches high tie
them 20 reeds. Later on give a separate
support to each stem. as they become
quite heavy. and the fall winds must not
be allowed 10 bruise the blossoms by dash
ing them together.
Just before the August rains begin. start
your forcing. sTadeful OF fresh horse
manure turned under with a spading-
fork between each plant. viii not be too
strong, even when the sun is hot. II the
ground be kept quite wet; and the manure
viii not burn when turned under and not
exposed to the sun.
Do this about the first OF August. again
IN three weeks. and the last time the mid
die of September. when the fiower-bud
begin to form.
Pinch of all but one bud at the top Of
each stem. and feed three times a week
with a spadeful of COW manure stirred
into a tub OF water. Discontinue this
when the buds show color.
Chrysanthemums require attention al
most daily. and the woman that spends
her summer away from home. or the wo-
man that gives her man-servant instruc-
lions. and then goes on her way rejoicing
I'm the faith they will be carried out in
detail. will do we'll TO give her garden
space TO less eXacting flowers. The in
sects must be constantly watched, for II
left alone for any length OF time, they
multiply amazingly. and are destructive.
II all this is troublesome, spend your
time more congenially. for ICON amore"
Is the only method Of growing these flow
ers successfully.