.
When the buds show they should be thinned, leaving as a rule the top,
third, and fourth buds. The second is often too near the first, and some
will not carry the fourth with vigour. When the petals nearly fill the
calyx, each one must be carefully tied with a thin strip of material a
little more than halfway down, to prevent the calyx from bursting, which
disqualifies the flower for exhibition.

==The early-flowering class== is extremely valuable for the ease with
which it can be grown. The seedlings offer the advantage of being far
more floriferous than plants that have been propagated by the orthodox
method, and they are quite immune from the disease which often decimates
stocks raised from layers and cuttings. Two strains--Vanguard and
Improved Marguerite--possess these characteristics in a very high
degree. All the usual colours are included, and they not only make a
very imposing display in the borders but are of great value for table
decoration. Within about six months from the time seed is sown an
admirable form of delightfully scented Carnation is at the command of
every gardener, and a succession of these popular flowers is available
long after the perennial varieties have ceased to bloom. Plants from
seed sown in gentle heat in January or February will flower freely in
the autumn of the same year, and if lifted and potted they will continue
in bloom during the winter as ornaments of the greenhouse or
conservatory. From another sowing in autumn there will be a display in
the following spring.

==CELOSIA PLUMOSA==

==Plumed Cockscomb. Greenhouse annual==

The conditions which suit a liberally grown Cockscomb will produce long
graceful plumes of =Celosia plumosa=, but the starving system will not
answer with this plant. Sow in February or March, and by means of a
steady heat, regular attention with water, and a rather moist
atmosphere, the specimens should be grown without a check from beginning
to end. When they reach the final pots an occasional dose of weak manure
water will help them, both in size and colour, but it must be
discontinued when the flowers begin to show their beauty. As a rule it
will be found more easy to manage this plant on a moderate-sized hot-bed
than in a greenhouse. Repotting should always be done in time to prevent
the roots from growing through the bottom of the pots.

==CELOSIA CRISTATA--see COCKSCOMB, =page= 254==

==CHRYSANTHEMUM==

==Hardy perennial and hardy annual