NAT. ORDER. COMPOSITE. 87 



Aster JVovibclgii. New Holland Starwort. This species produ- 

 ces rough stems about two feet high, dividing towards the top into 

 many forked branches, diverging from each other. The flowers grow 

 almost in an umbel, and appear in the beginning of September. It 

 is a native of Virginia, but may be found all over the New England 

 States. 



Aster paniculahis. Panicled Starwort. In this species the stems 

 rise about four feet, the stems putting out numerous side branches 

 towards the top, wliich grow erect, forming a loose spike of orange 

 colored flowers, which are somewhat bluish ; these expand about 

 the middle of October. This is a native of North America, growing 

 in all of the Middle States. 



Aster fruticosus. Shrubby Starwort. In this species the stems 

 ri.se about three feet high, with woody side branches, having clusters 

 of leaves quite narrow, somewhat like those of the Larch tree ; the 

 flowers are produced from the side of the branches upon long, slender 

 peduncles, singly ; they are of a pale blue color, and appear in the 

 beginning of March. It is a native of the Cape. 



Propagation and Culture. The hardy kinds of these plants easily 

 succeed in almost any soil or situation. The China Aster, or third 

 sort and its varieties, being annual plants, are propagated by sowing 

 the seeds of tlie diflcrent kinds from the beginning of March to May, 

 on a very moderate hot bed, and very lightly covered, the air being 

 admitted as much as possible when the weather is suitable, in order 

 to promote the vigorous growth of the plants. When they are sufii- 

 ciently strong they should be planted out either into beds of earth at 

 six inches distance each way, or into the places where they are to 

 remain, into the borders or other parts — the latter is probably the 

 better practice, as they grow more strongly. In the bed method they 

 are usually transplanted after a few weeks, with clumps of earth 

 attached to their roots, into the situations where they are to flower, 

 the mould being made fine about them. A few of the fine double 

 varieties may also be put in pots. Moist weather is the most suita- 



