The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1904-04-21
Chrysanthemum Culture.

The following very instructive
letter has been received by Mrs.
w. S. Week from Mrs. Jno. ].
Guion Of Ballinger on GLOW to
grow Chrysanthemums." Mrs.
Guion is one of the most success
full growers of this popular flower
III Texas and words from her are
worth much.
Balllnger, Tex, Apr. 6, 1901
Ny dear Mrs. Week 1T is a
pleasure to me to comply with
your request, and ! herewith give
you my ideas on chrysanthemum
culture although it would be less
difficult for me to raise them than
90 write about them
! begin dividing and putting
tout my plants about the last OF
March or first of April, or when
the side shoots from the old stalk
are rooted. All florist say that
cuttings make the largest and best
blooms, but ! have varieties
which / have cultivated for years
by dividing the sprouts or side
shoots in the spring, and the
blooms are us fine now as were
they the first year.
Prepare good fresh bed, we'll
enriched, where it will get the sun
all day but protected from the
north wind if possible: set the
plants out in rows, one and one
half feet apart in the row, shade
them for few days or until they
become rooted, hoe and water
them enough TO keep III growing
condition all through the summer.
When about six inches high pinch
out the tops which will cause
them TO branch low; this is desir-
able as the wind is less liable TO
break the plants when they branch
near the ground. For bush form
pinch back each branch several
times during the summer, but the
last pinching should not he later
than the first of August. In July
mulch well with manure and give
plenty of water TO the plants. In
the latter part of August or first
of September when the buds begin
to appear, if you want large
blooms, allow only one bloom TO
II branch at first. Leave the head
of buds at the end of the branch
and pinch all side shoots and buds
between the leaves, but as soon rs
the buds are large enough for you
to decide which is the best, leave
two for awhile-one for yourself
and one for the Katydids-fnally
pinch one out and leave only one
70 the branch. After the buds
appear you cannot give them too
much water or enrichment and ut
the last you can hurry the bloom
ing by using hot water.
, For single stems, take the first
side shoots from new plants put
out in April, or the tops of the
plants when you pinch them, put
them in sand to root them; when
rooted pot in , J inch pots and as
, they need it transplant to larger
until you have them in six inch
pots, them sink in the ground and
never let them become dry.
For standards, let the plants
make a clear stem of three feet
before allowing to branch, then
pinch the buds TO suit yourself.
Standards and bush forms can
be grown in the open ground and
lifted Just before they make the
bloom bud, or wait until in full
bloom then lift into pots two OF
three days before the flower show
but if you grow continuously in
pots you will he surer of graceful
good shaped plants. OF course
keep the pots bedded to the rim
in the ground.
Some of my friends use bone
meal with good results but ! have
never tried it, SCOT water may
be used to advantage at intervals
during the summer Use liquid
manure freely after the buds APP
pear, Tie each branch loosely tC
II separate stake. A light frost
will not hurt chrysanthemums
yet it is best to build frame
over them and cover with canvas
This will protect them from the
wind which | dread more than
frost.
Wishing you great success ii
chrysanthemum growing, am,
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. JOUN !. GUION.
Robbed the Grave,