SUMMER is the time of the rose, and the chrysanthemum is the leader among autumn flowers, scarcely less popular than the "queen" herself. Some varieties produce flowers so regular that it is not in the power of art to improve their symmetry; while others, again, have flowers that appear to be so ragged, torn and twisted that we are amazed when we behold them, and the eye is dazzled when it tries to take in the glorious tints and colors that are produced when a number of the plants are grouped together. Many people cannot spare the room for the tall plants that are generally seen at the shows, and others who would like to try their hands are at once deterred by the amount of skill, as well as room, that the plants apparently require to attain perfection. Yet the chrysanthemum is is one of the easiest plants to grow, and it requires only the same amount of care that is bestowed upon a geranium or a fuchsia to produce creditable specimens. For those who have only a very small greenhouse, or no greenhouse at all, the early flowering varieties are the best to take up, as these will be the most likely to reward them for their trouble and to induce them to continue to grow these exquisite gems.

The plants should be obtained about the latter part of May or early in June, when all danger of frost is passed, and if they have been hardened by the salesman they may be placed out-of-doors at once. They may now be obtained from nurserymen and florists at trifling cost. No gardener who delights in a beautiful conservatory can afford to be without a few of the early flowering section, as they have a charming effect when placed among other plants, and where large quantities of cut flowers, and especially the white kinds, are required during September and October, the early-flowering chrysanthemums become indispensable.

Those who have the means to house the plants and to grow them on during the winter months should select their cuttings in December or January, if large plants are required. I have grown fine decorative plants from cuttings taken in March. They should be stuck in small pots containing a rather sandy loam; a quarter of an inch of sand should be put on top of the soil and the cutting be set in it. When the plants are nicely rooted, they should be potted singly into three-inch pots and then set on a shelf near the glass to prevent them from being drawn. In March, or the beginning of April, they should be shifted into six-inch pots, where they can remain until potted into their blooming pots about the first part or middle of June. They will thrive in a soil composed of loam and decayed manure. To every five barrowfuls of loam add one of manure, one of leaf mold, and sufficient sand to render the compost porous. To every bar-rowful add a nine-inch pot of bone-dust. For the final shift, nine-inch pots will be large enough; they must be well drained, as the plants will require large supplies of water. When potted, stand them on a bed of ashes in a sunny position. In and around the pots stakes should be inserted, to which the limbs are to be tied as they grow.

If the plants are syringed every sunny afternoon there will not be much trouble with the green fly.

To secure a good, bushy plant, it is necessary to pinch the young plant when it has attained the height of about six inches; this will cause four or five shoots to break, which must be pinched when they have grown about four inches, and pinching should continue until the end of May or the first week in June, when the plants should be stopped for the last time. They may be planted out in the garden during the summer, and potted up and taken in before frost comes. All potted plants must be under cover by the end of September. In the Southern States the early-flowering varieties will succeed out of doors to perfection, but the large-flowered and later kinds will need protection. The chrysanthemum requires abundant supplies of water, and if it is allowed to suffer from drought the leaves will turn yellow and the flowers will be deformed. As soon as the roots reach the sides of the blooming pots weak liquid stimulants may be used; but too much must not be given. After the flower buds are formed, the liquid manure may be given more frequently. It is well to have several kinds on hand and to change them occasionally. The flowers will be much improved if the buds are thinned a little.

The early-flowering varieties often produce buds in great quantities, so that one need not feel at all loath to remove a few.

The following list contains, I believe, the cream of the early-flowerings section. It will be observed that many of them are pompones. La Vierge, pure white; A. Dufour, purple violet; Soeur Melanie, white ; William Holmes, crimson; Model, white ; Madame Desgrange, G. Wermig, La Neige, Lady Selborne, white; Bolede, Golden George Glenny, Mrs. George Rundle, white ; L'Or du Rhin, yellow ; Antonelli, bronze with orange tip ; Cullingfordi, crimson; Tynaert Van Geert, yellow and orange; Prince of Wales, purplish; Lady Hardinge, rose; La Petite Marie, pure white; Early Blush, rosy blush ; Lyon, rosy red ; Golden Fleece ; M. M. Paul et fils, golden yellow ; Nanum, creamy white; An-astasia, magenta; A. Villotte des Prugnes, Mons. John Laing, Alice Butcher, Mandarin, M. Van Halle, Flora, yellow; Henderson et fils, yellow; Illustration, blush; Fleur d' Ete; W. Cobbet; Pom-ponium; C. J. Quintus; Canary; Inimitable, orange red; Early Cassy, lilac and gold ; Venus, lilac ; Hettie Barker, blush; Aurea Multiflora, yellow; Beverley, button; Cedo Nulli, lilac; Brown Cedo Nulli; Golden Cedo Nulli; White Trevenna ; Golden Trevenna; Lilac Gem; President, deep rose; Beethoven, bronzy red; Solomon, dark rose; Bril-liant, crimson ; Jersey Beauty, yellow ; Surprise; La Bien Amie; Golden Madame Domage; James Salter; Simon Delaux, crimson; Blanc Precoce, white; Madame Hoste, rosy salmon; Mrs. J. Pitcher, blush; Madame Jolivart, blush; Isidore Feral, rosy lilac with yellow center; Rose d' Ete ; Mrs. Wood, bronze yellow ; Toreador, bronzy red ; Precoite, yellow; Elaine, white; Roi des Precoces, crimson ; Blushing Bride, rosy lilac ; Hybrid Pompon ; Aigle d'Or, yellow; J. Mahood, gold color; Bouquet AEstival, light purple; Chrome Stella; Souvenir du Mons. Rampont; Mr. W. Tiercy ; Monsieur Roux; Madame Piccol; Frederic Pile; Fi-berta; Tresorier Lacosta.

Above list gives a wide range.

Louisiana. H. W. Smith.