The Flower Garden 



1433 



are fairly hardy and with proper covering will withstand winter in most 

 sections of New York State. 



The varieties' are divided into two classes, the tall and the dwarf Grandi- 

 flora. Varieties of the first are Queen Victoria, Crimson, Pink, Scarlet, 

 Yellow, and Striped; of the second, Golden Queen, Black Prince, Empress, 

 Crimson, Scarlet, and others. 



Aster 

 The aster, a popular flower, requires for its best development well- 

 rotted manure thoroughly worked into soil. The seed may be sown 



Fig 45. — - One method of planting 



outdoors in May, \ to f inch deep in rows 12 inches apart; later the 

 plants should be thinned to 9 to 12 inches apart in the row, as such 

 thinning results in fine bloom during September and October. For early 

 bloom plants should be started in the hotbeds in March and transplanted 

 to the open ground after all danger from frost is past. Small quantities 

 of air-slaked lime or wood ashes stirred into the surface of the soil will 

 greatly benefit the plants. 



The average height of asters is 1 to 3 feet. By systematic planting 

 it is possible to have the plants in bloom from July to October. 



There are both annual and perennial varieties. Some of the best 

 strains are Giant Japanese, Comet, Chrysanthemum, Ostrich Feather, 

 Victoria, Concord, Vicks Branching, and Washington. 



