100 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



the flowers of Sabbatia. They are, however, in no way re- 

 lated. 



These fine plants are apt to delay their blooming too long and 

 get caught by frost. In other years they run entirely to foliage 

 — so they cannot be considered wholly satisfactory. However, 

 like the horrid little girl, they are becoming better. One can- 

 not now forecast their probable place in floriculture. 



Providence, R. I. 



ASTERS. 



By B. O. Wolden. 



THERE is a peculiar charm about the last flowers of the 

 season. When we go for a walk on a September day we 

 know that not many days are left us to see and admire. When 

 we think of autumn flowers we have in mind, probably more 

 than any others, the wild asters which are so plentiful at this 

 season. During the last days of September and first part of 

 October, our woodlands and prairie roadsides, when left un- 

 disturbed, are clothed in blue, violet and purple by these 

 flowers. Occasionally we see a hillside which seems snow- 

 clad, when the white dense flowered aster is at its best. 



We welcome and love the flowers of spring but with them 

 are associated the thought that they are only the beginning, 

 there will be more flowers coming. But when the asters come 

 we take notice. The season of flowers will soon be over and we 

 bid them welcome almost with a sigh. 



But because they are the last we love them the best. When 

 the leaves turn to red and gold and are scattered over the 

 ground, when the autumn rains fall and the wind blows cold, 

 the asters bloom in all their glory, fresh and fair. It seems to 

 us that the following lines from Biyant's "To the Fringed 

 Gentian" might be used in speaking of the aster also. 



