FOREIGN NOTICES. 



rol-elgi] polices. 



Pyeamidal China Asters. — Among all the beautiful annuals cultivated at the present 

 time, we know of none more worthy of attention than these charming pyramidal Asters, 

 recently introduced by the French florists. M. Teuffant, of Versailles, who has brought 

 their culture to a high state of perfection, gives a very full account of his management in 

 the Revue Eorticole for July, 1853. The Gardeners' Chronicle condenses a part of it as 

 follows," leaving out some very instructive remarks on the saving of seed, with a view to 

 the improvement of both habit of the plant and form and colors of flowers. 



He sows the seeds in the open ground, and in pots or pans under clotches (bell-glasses), or in 

 frames. The sowing in the open ground is made in good rich well- worked soil, in the last fortnight 

 of March. The seeds are very thinly covered with fine decayed leaf-mold, and slightly watered, 

 then covered with bell-glasses or frames. These are covered with straw mats when the nights 

 are cold, and slightly shaded from the sun's rays when the days are bright. 



If the weather prove favorable, the plants will appear in about ten days. Air is then gradu- 

 ally admitted, and more fully as the plants acquire strength, in order that they may become 

 robust. It is necessary to guard against the attacks of insects ; those most to be dreaded are the 

 wood-lice and black spiders. 



The plants from this sowing will commence flowering in the beginning of August, and will 

 continue till September ; so tliat in order to prolong the flowering, it will be necessary to make 

 several successive sowings at intervals of ten or twelve days ; but those sown in the end of March 

 produce the most vigorous plants and tlie finest flowei's. 



Sown hi pots or earthenware pans. — These, when the seeds are sown, are covered with a pane 

 of glass, whitened on the upper side with chalk and water. This glass has the eff'eet of breaking 

 the rays of the suu, and of preserving the seeds from mice and other animals, or insects, and it 

 prevents the soil from becoming too dry. The pots are then placed in a house with a temperature 

 between 60° and '70°, and as near the glass as possible, or, better, in a warm frame. A little air 

 is admitted when the plants come up by tilting the square of glass, from which the chalk should 

 be previously washed off, in order that the young plants may have as much light as possibly can 

 be given them. The pane of glass is removed when the young stems grow up to it. 



Pricking out in the open air. — The plants from the sowing made under bell-glasses or in frames, 

 between the 15th of March and the 1st of April, ought to be pricked out between the 20th of 

 April and the 1st of May, at eight inches apart each way, in good light soil, covered with half 

 an inch of fine leaf-mold. The plants should be carefully watered, but not at night, for the 

 nights at this season of the year are frequently cold. 



Pricking out under bell-glasses or frames. — The plants from sowings made in pots or pans being 

 more susceptible of drawing up than those raised in the open ground, ought to be pricked out as 

 young as possible, or as soon as they have developed one or two leaves. Fifteen to eigliteen are 

 pricked out under one hand-glass, and from eighty to a hundred under a frame fjur feet four 

 inches square. The plants are slightly shaded from strong sun for a few days ; an- is gradually 

 admitted, and wlien they liave talicn fresh hold, the glass is taken off at all times when the 

 weather permits, for it is to be remarked tiiat it is not employed for forcing the plants, but merely 

 to protect them from atmospheric vicissitudes. 



Final planting. — Between the 1st and loth of June, taking advantage of cloudy weather, the 

 plants pricked out are taken up with balls, and planted from fifteen to eighteen inches every 



