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4 State Horticultural Society. 



Aster, an herb which originally had but two sliades of color, purple 

 and white. Evolution in plant life seems quite as much a natural 

 law as it is in human life. 



In vegetable life the meanest weed has its place, and was 

 doubtless intended for some specific use. At present it serves to 

 teach the gardener patience, perseverance and industry, traits of 

 character always valuable to mankind. No one should expect to have 

 weedless flower beds without toil, nor beautiful blossoms without 

 proper preparation of soil, and some knowledge of the require- 

 ments of the plants he wishes to cultivate. In a general way any 

 good, rich, light garden soil, well supplied with creek or river sand, 

 and compost from the cow stable, will serve the needs of most 

 seedlings. Weeds, like bad habits, seem to thrive anywhere, and 

 the less attention we give them the taller they grow; while no 

 worthy growth is effortless, either in horticulture or character. To 

 succeed we must go into our work determined to do our best, and 

 then never grow weary in well doing. 



Individual taste must select what to plant and what to reject. 

 Some succeed well with only a single variety. Then let them keep 

 to that one and discard the others. 



I know a gentleman who cultivates only Marigolds, and I 

 never see any of this flower half so fine outside of his garden. 

 Most of the popular favorites are of easy culture. Sweetpeas only 

 need to be planted in good soil, very early in the spring, to insure 

 a splendid yield of blossoms. 



Pansies may be sown under glass in October, and given no 

 further attention until the time comes to transplant them in spring, 

 except to water them on exceptionally mild days and give them 

 an occasional airing. They require rich soil, and do best on the 

 east or north side of the garden in partial shade. 



Nasturtiums never disappoint, unless planted in too rich soi]^ 

 when they run too much to vine or bush and leaf, and not give 

 so many blossoms. They require a light, friable soil, and do best 

 in a sunny situation. If I could grow but one seedling, it should 

 be the nasturtium, for this flower not only responds brightly to 

 almost any wish of the gardener, but it is a valuable plant, because 

 of its many uses. It is effective in masses, does well in vases and 

 baskets, is good for covering trellises, and makes pretty pot plants 

 for winter blooming. Its long, graceful stems, great profusion 

 of bloom and brilliant coloring render it particularly valuable for 

 cutting. Then its seed pods, while green, make a very excellent 

 pickle. What more ought one expect from a flower? Yet it does; 



