12 



double rows, — that is, put two rows only five or six inches apart 

 — and stick the brush or place the chicken-wire support between 

 them. 



China asters may be sown from the middle of May to the 

 first of June. In one large test at Cornell, we sowed them the 

 4th of June and had good success, but this is rather later than 

 we would advise. The China asters are autumn flowers, and 

 they should be in their prime in September and early October. 



Sow the aster seed shallow, — not more than a half inch deep. 

 The tall kinds of asters should have at least a foot between the 

 plants in the row, and the dwarf kinds six to eight inches. 



Sometimes China asters have rusty or yellow spots on the 

 undersides of their leaves. This is a fungous disease. If it 

 appears, have your father make some ammoniacal carbonate of 

 copper solution and then spray them with it ; or Bordeaux 

 mixture will do just as well or better, only that it discolors the 

 leaves and flowers. 



5. What varieties to choose. — In the first place, do not plant 

 too much. A garden which looks very small when the pussy- 

 willows come out and the frogs begin to peep, is pretty big in 

 the hot days of July. A garden four feet wide and twenty feet 

 long, half sweet peas and half asters, is about as big as most 

 boys and girls will take care of. 



In the next place, do not get too many varieties. Four or 

 five kinds each of peas and asters will be enough. Buy the 

 named varieties, — that is, those of known colors — not the mixed 

 packets. If you are very fond of reds, then choose the reddest 

 kinds ; but it is well to put in at least three colors. The varie- 

 ties which please you may not please me or your neighbor, so 

 that I cannot advise you what to get, but I will give some lists 

 which may help you. 



Among.st all the sweet peas grown at Cornell last year, the 

 following seemed to be best on our grounds : 



Dark purple. IVaverly. 



Dicke of Clarence. 

 triped purple. Gray Friar. 



Juanita. 

 Senator. 



