CHRYSANTHEMUMS EXTRAORDINARY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14987, 6 June 1914, Page 3

CHRYSANTHEMUMS EXTRAORDINARY.

AMBERLEVS PRIDE. Twelve months ago a mere lad named Percy Wornall, brought to the Christchurch Show a number of blooms of extraordinary size, which produced a sensatipn amongst the local champions, and also surprised the champions from other centres. The blooms displayed were of great size, and good colour, but lacked finish, denoting the hand of the amateur grower and exhibitor. This autumn the fame of Amberley as a chrysanthemum growing centre has been extended by another young man, William Busch, who sent to the show such blooms the equal or which has never been seen in New Zealand, and authorities state it is doubtful it in any part of the world. These were six blooms of William Turner, a magnificent white. These blooms were not only immense in size, but some were nicely finished, and well set up lor show" purposes. Much interest was displayed in these blooms, and many questions asked as to how they were grown. . The writer of these notes was in Amberley a few days after tbe show and made it his business to sco tho conditions under which they were grown and to learn, if possible, tbe secret of the success. The" gardens of both Mr Bmch and Mr Wornall wero visited, and the chrysanthemums inspected. The conditions were of the most ordinary character, but the results attained ordinary. The plants, which varTrt* from sft to 7ft"in height were pro-

tooted from the weather by sacking, old horse covers, and 6tout calico, all this stretched over a most primitive framework made of tree branches, old posts and rou_ch timber. This protection ' was in. somo cases so poor that tho flowers suffered iv consequent Asked what treatment was accorded to the plants during the growing season, involved many answers, but summarised they were as follow:—The soil, which lias' been well prepared both by working and adding food in the way of manure and rotted stack bottoms, is in a fit condition in August to receive the cuttings, which are rooted suckers (gener-ally-known among gardeners as Irishmen's cuttings). These when planted out are helped by stirring the soil and keepine tho weeds down. Later, how- , f.'er, the soil is not so frequently stirred, but kept firm on the top to keep tho plants- from growing too rampant. When tho stem has reached a :h.oii?!ht of- Ift to 2ft it is nipped! at the top, and, in consequence, is made to break into two or three growths. Those are staked and allowed to grow till they make what is known as a natural break, after which they set their flower buds and later make their display. • _ , ~ . Asked what was the eecret of thsir success. Mr Busch stated that it was the principle of starting the plant/* from suckers and not from cuttings, and these set out early, tho free use of rotted stack bottoms mixed' m the soil to supply the necessary humus, and, perhaps one of the most important factors, the warm, dry sunny climato which Amberlev is very highly favoured with. In addition to Messrs Busch and Wornall there are several others in Amberley who have been very successful in growing very fine blooms of all the colours and not limited to the yellows and whites, i