1870.] HOW I GROW MY ASTERS. 493 



Though my remarks are mainly directed to the use of the Aster as 

 an exhibition-flower, its usefulness for decorative purposes must not 

 be overlooked. Scarcely anything is so gay or so pleasant to the eye 

 as a border well studded with Asters ; and scarcely is anything more 

 useful during the summer months. But none of the tall-growing 

 types that have the habit of hanging down their flowers, as if always 

 in a dejected mood, should be employed for the purpose. There are 

 one or two dwarf-growing types of the quilled flowers that are very 

 useful for the purpose, but give me the Victoria and the dwarf Chry- 

 santhemum-flowered. I sometimes amuse myself by looking over the 

 seed catalogues at the lists of the different types of Asters therein 

 arranged, and I am led to fancy they are constructed especially to be- 

 wilder and torment poor unsuspecting folk, who cannot know much 

 about them. I have bought much rubbish in this way in the time 

 past, but I have done with that for ever. I now know something 

 about Asters, and I always get for my money that which amply repays 

 me; and because I am anxious other growers should not be dis- 

 appointed I have here set down my Aster experiences. 



I sow later than sowing is sometimes done. The end of March, or 

 the beginning of April, is my time for doing it. I plant out in small 

 beds, putting the plants in lines about 12 inches apart, and the plants 

 about 9 inches apart in the row. Some assure me I crowd my plants ; 

 I fancy I don't, and so continue to plant 9 inches apart. The beds are 

 previously prepared by forking into the soil plenty of rotten manure, 

 and working it well together till light and friable. When the plants get 

 from 6 to 9 inches in height, I scoop out the soil between the rows to 

 the depth of 3 inches, and fill up the space with some rotten manure, 

 and I cover the surface of the beds with a layer of the same. Unless 

 the weather is very dry, not much watering is required. When the 

 blooms are filling out, those intended for the exhibition-table are helped 

 with some weak liquid-manure ; yet it is hardly essential. From plants 

 grown in this way I get exceedingly fine blooms, and seldom do I miss 

 taking the first prize at our local show the last week in August, 

 though I have to fight hard to secure that honour. But in these 

 days of severe competition we must fight if we would excel. 



A bed of Asters is an admirable preparation for a plantation of 

 Eoses in the autumn. Those who contemplate making a Rose-bed 

 should grow Asters the previous summer, and when they are removed, 

 well trench the ground. If fine blooms of Roses are not produced the 

 following season — well, then, I am but an indifferent prophet. 



Nemo. 



