116 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



to render the whole firm and smooth ; and if sparrows abound in the 

 neighbourhood, stretch some white threads across the ground about 

 three yards asunder, and they will be seared long enough for the 

 seed to germinate. 



Old lawns that have bare patches may be renovated without 

 disturbing those parts that are in good trim. Strip off the grass, or 

 dig it in over the spots that are poor, rake smooth, and sow as just 

 described. But generally turf that is poor in grass is rich in weeds, 

 and to dig them in is to make sure of their coming up again ; there- 

 fore the removal of the turf is the safest course, as when rotted it is 

 valuable for potting, and the loss can be made good with soil brought 

 to the spot. Grass that is merely thin, and not weedy, may, if the 

 soil is not sour and exhausted, be greatly improved by sowing over 

 it now a good lawn mixture, and then covering with fine soil and 

 rolling in. S. H. 



THE BEST VAEIETIES OF ASTEES. 



STEES are now divided and subdivided into so many 

 classes, that it puzzles one to select ; however, we will 

 soon reduce the list, and at once say all that are required 

 in the most fastidious establishment are — Truifaut's 

 Pfeouy-flowered, Chrysanthemum-flowered, and Quilled. 

 With the first every one is familiar from seeing the splendid 

 blooms exhibited at our autumnal shows, looking like incurved chry- 

 santhenumis, and for decorative purposes and cutting for bouquets 

 are unsurpassed. These can be purchased in named packets, twenty- 

 four or twelve distinct varieties ; and also by growers of smaller 

 means in mixed packets ; only be sure to get imported seed, let the 

 quantity be ever so small, as seed saved in this country is worthless, 

 producing not one good flower in 500. Why such is the case I will 

 not pretend to say, but only voucli for the accuracy of the statement, 

 having tried for many years to save my own seed, but always failed 

 in getting a good flower from it, whereas the imported seed was 

 always fine and beautiful. 



The next is the chrysanthemum-flowered, and of this variety 

 there are two kinds — the tall and dwarf. The tall is very fine for 

 cut flowers ; the dwarf is, however, much the best for display, and 

 no garden should be without this variety. Nothing can be more 

 beautiful than a bed of dwarf chrysanthemum-flowered asters, and I 

 strongly recommend them, to lady gardeners especially. They have 

 only to be seen to be appreciated, growing from six to eight inches 

 in height, and every bloom seems placed on the stems at an equal 

 distance, so that a bed will appear as level as if pegged down or 

 artificially trained. The seed of this must also be imported. 



The quilled, or, as called years ago, China and German aster, is 

 still one of our most beautiful garden flowers, the form of the flower 

 being when well developed a half globe, and the colouring of the 

 florets so delicate that they will bear the closest inspection without 

 detracting from their beautiful appearance. This is grown and 

 known to the German growers as Eeid's Aster, by English growers 



