146 :J6otan^ 



esi:>ecial use of the vervain, as it was believed to be a 

 specific in many diseases. 



August is the gala day of the wild asters — white, 

 blue, pink, and purple — the white being further 

 varied by a difference in the color of the centres, 

 some being brown and some 3'ellow. Asters are so 

 prolific in bloom and have such intense blue and 

 purple coloring that the}^ are a conspicuous feature 

 in the August landscape. Fifty-four varieties are 

 denizens of the Northeastern States, and of these all 

 but twelve are l)lue or purple. An open hillside 

 covered with wild asters, golden-rod, ironweed, and 

 chicory is a splendid display of color, all made more 

 dazzling and vivid by the blaze of the August sun. 

 The asters close at evening, the chicory is entirely 

 shut by noon, the ironweed and golden-rod, un- 

 daunted, spread out their glories through all the 

 hours of the day and night. " Blessings brighten as 

 they take their flight " is a saying that now more 

 than savors of triteness ; it holds good of the flowers, 

 which put on their most gorgeous hues with the 

 advancing season. Of these late autumn beauties 

 the chicory is the most useful — it is a roadside 

 bloomer, and many a tired wayfarer has no doubt 

 been cheered by "its eyes of heavenly hue." In 

 France and England the roasted roots are exten- 

 sively used mixed wi'th coffee and ground, the 



