168 State Horticultural Society. 



along borders, far enough from other plants to prevent crowding, for 

 nasturtiums are rather selfish and aggressive — like some people — who 

 are better if kept at a i-espectful distance. 



Asters are of easy culture also. I find the best wav is to plant 

 the seed earl}" in boxes or cold frames and transplant to the open ground 

 as soon as danger from frost is past. Let -the soil be light, rich and 

 Avell prepared. Set the plants ten inches apart each way. I consider 

 this flower ahnost equal to the best chrysanthemums. They have a 

 great variety of rich colors, shading up from dark purple to the faintest 

 lavender, and from deep rich blue to pure snowy white, from crimson 

 to the faintest rose; in all these lovely gradations each plant remains 

 true to itself, and is a miniature tree bearing dozon-s of fine feathery 

 blossoms. They require very rich soil and a sunny situation, and to 

 be kept free from the ever encroaching weed family. This is about all, 

 except perhaps, to stir the earth about their roots occasionally. It 

 pays to cultivate asters. No flower can surpass it in beauty or 

 profusion of blossom. To my taste the aster is a veritable queen in 

 the realm of Flora. 



And now come the poppies, great flaunting, long stemmed, graceful 

 silken robed things ! Thev are amonc; the wanton creatures of the 

 floral world, but, ah ! how beautiful they are ! 



A hedge of poppies is unlike anything else in the kingdom of 

 flowers. They seem to woo you, to sway toward you, to lift bright, 

 witching faces up to meet your glances, till you think of Cleopatra^ 

 Aspatia, Helen of Troy, and a score of other women famed for their 

 beauty. Your thoughts come to you in verse, and you say 



A scarlet poppy swaying on its slender stem, 



A cup shaped poppy witli a cap of gold, 

 Casts swift, bold glances at all passers. 



Then Haunts silken skirts and cries behold ! behold ! 



You feel a virtuous thrill in the presence of these ^\'ierd, shining 

 creatures, and try to admonish them thus : 



Ah ! poppy with thy bright disturbing eve, 



Fair poppy with thv soul destrovmg breath. 

 Flaunt not thy beauty which so soon must die, 



I'"rail ])oppy think of midnight and of ileath. 



