FOR GARDENERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 2

FOR GARDENERS.

CARE OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Chrysanthemum plants arc beginning now to reach an interesting stage. Tlio ilower buds are showing. Whether grown in clump or bush form, or conlincd to a few choice blooms, the plant always affords tho grower a > great amount of healthy enjoyment. There is scarcely a Ilower grown that will bloom more profusely in spite ot neglect or pests than tho chrysanthemum; and thoro is scarcely another that gives such a grateful broad response to special care. The magnificent blooms on tho show tables preach a sermon on this point. Tho bush chrysanthemum-grower has less calculating to do, and less vigil 'to keep, than tho man who grows for tho big blooms. Ho who is almost ready'to throw a blanket down at night and pass a wakeful vigil between his rows of chrysanthemums, is not unknown. Tho great caterpillar is his chief antagonist, for ho has concentrated tho whole energy of a plant into one or two blooms. _ These ho coddles along to their grand maturity with almost such caro as a mother might bestow upon tho training of her child; and ho is haunted all tho timo by tho knowledge that, in a single night, a caterpillar can wreck his whole work. Ho stakes all on a few blooms, and.if they fail, he has no other consolation. But, with tho bush grower, who represents tho majority of city and suburban gardeners, there ia safety in tho numbers of blooms. And, after all, this gardener very likely gets hb much enjoyment out of tho final result as tho mail of tho big blooms. Tho usual New Zealand method is to lot all tho growths survivo, tio them together around a stake;—they aro almost as plentiful as tho fibres in a corn broom —and then rejoico over tho mass of littlo blooms that result. In England, a bush chrysanthemum is usually a pot plant, grown on ono stem'; its outline ,is quito foreign to the cornbroom stylo of this land._ A good English bush chrysanthemum receives as much caro, scrutiny, and calculation, and "stopping"' and balancing, asido'es tho plant that gro\vs ono bloom. Each alike is a manufactured article. From the main stem of tho'bush chrysanthemum from three- to fivo branches, subsequently branched .to from nino to twelve, • aro grown, but only ono main stem reaches the ground. "Stopping," "taking," and \ "breaks" aro ovcry-day words to yio old growers. But without all this fino work, our gardens can bo made to look just as sweet if tho plants aro tied neatly and with some taste, and aro arranged with an eye tb general effect. Hand-picking of caterpillars, and even of tho aphis, aro not laborious occupations to pcoplo who lovo their plants. Tobacco dust is usually recommended against tho aphis. "Damping," which often causes great dis--1 tress to gardeners who aro nursing choico blooms for an exhibition, is thus referred to by Walter P. Wright, the English author' ity:—"Tho blooms aro affected by damping in different ways. Sometimes they aro speckled all over, as if pepper had been dusted on them;, tho .spots turn to, a. rusty brown colour, ana tho effect is, to render tho (lowers thus damaged worthless for exhibition. Tho spots aro caused (in houso chrysanthemums) by a too low temperature .in tho house at night. Tho blooms being coldor than tho surrounding atmosphere, moisture condenses on them, and tho sun, shining upon them tho following. day, causes tlio spots just referred to. Prevention is better than euro in this as in other cases. During very cold weather, especially when fogs aro. prevalent, suspend a picco of, scrim about ono foot above the flowers. This covering will retain much of tlio moisture, which would, in its absence, descend upon tho blooms, and tlms cause injury to thorn. Remove tho covering each morning as soon aa tho air, in the houso feels drier." Another cause is too much moisture at thf roots. ■ ■