The "Crown " Buds Of Prize Chrysanthemums

By reference to that popular plant the Chrysanthemum at appropriate seasons, we have carried it to a very interesting stage - the stage when it may be expected to make its second break and commence producing its crown buds. Let us recapitulate the stages: First there was that of inserting the cuttings. Then there was the repotting. Then there was the "first break." Then there was the final potting and the standing out of doors for the summer. We have seen that the prize bloom plant produces a flower bud in April or May, and breaks into three shoots. That is the "first break." The bud is picked off, the shoots are kept. Presently each of them produces a flower bud, and breaks into three shoots the same as the original stem did. This is the " second break." The flower buds so produced are "crown " buds. This second break may come at the right time for the grower or it may not. If he asks how he shall know whether the time is right or not, the only possible answer (for it is impossible to give a general reply) is, that the peculiarities of the different sorts which are being grown must be ascertained. In a collection of fifty varieties there might be a dozen variations. These constitute alike the difficulty and the interest of growing prize Chrysanthemums. One cannot lump all the sorts together for a common course of treatment. Each has its individuality. The importance of the bud question lies in the fact that unless it is properly handled the blooms of different varieties will be at their best at different periods, and the exhibition grower likes to have them simultaneously. One way of ascertaining the necessary treatment of the buds of the respective varieties is to ask the florist who supplies them in the first place to give details. Every new variety which is procured ought to be entered in a book, and its particular requirements marked. If this practice is adopted, there is rarely any difficulty. True, a little hitch may occur in the case of one variety or another, for no system can be devised that is absolutely, automatically perfect when weather influences come in, but an odd error is rarely disastrous. So much by way of explanation; now, reverting to the second break, let me say that it may come any time between the middle of July and the end of August. It is likely to suit the grower best if it comes about the middle of August. Supposing, however, that it comes in July, as is sometimes the case. The break is too early, and the plant should be artificially controlled so as to bring about another. The flower bud, which in this case will be called the "first crown," should be removed from each shoot, and the three growing buds below examined, the weakest two being discarded. This of course leaves the plant with three branches as before, only each has, so to say, a fresh growing tip. The shoots will grow on, and in the course of about three weeks will break again. This time the flower buds (now called "second crowns ") will be retained, and the shoots which spring below them removed. Roughly, it takes eleven weeks to develop a prize Chrysanthemum bloom, thus a bud which forms at mid-August ought to be a fully developed flower the first week in November. It is perhaps scarcely necessary to say that this process of stopping and bud selection is not developed to anything like the same extent in the case of plants which are grown as bushes, to produce abundance of small flowers instead of two or three large ones. True, the young plants may be pinched once or twice in spring to make them compact, but there need be no elaborate manipulation; "breaks" and "crowns" can both be ignored. Instead of the mid-season shoots being pinched out, they should be allowed to extend, and in due course they will produce flowers. The blossoms will be small, and of no use for forming prize stands, but there will be a great many of them, and they will be charming for vases in the house.

The double white Arabis, a fine dwarf plant for the border or rockery, and almost as good as lily of the valley for cutting.

Fig. 52. - Taking Crown Buds off Chrysanthemums.

a. The crown bud.

b. Side shoots to be removed.