71 



former it is best performed in the autumn, the parted roots being 

 immediately planted out in the places where they are designed to 

 flower. 



The latter or Italian sort should have the roots parted and re- 

 planted as soon as the flowers begin to decline, as, when the busi- 

 ness is deferred till late in the autumn or the spring, the plants 

 neither grow so strong nor flower so completely. The roots in this 

 kind should not be taken up oftener than once in three or four years, 

 where a full display of flowers is the principal object. 



This sort has not been so much attended to since the introduc- 

 tion of the American species; but from the plants creeping less by 

 the roots, and requiring less support in the stems, they are equally 

 deserving of regard for the purpose of cultivation. 



As this sort is not, however, capable of increasing fast by dividing 

 the roots, it may be readily multiplied by planting cuttings from the 

 young shoots in the later spring months, in situations where the mould 

 is light and fine, being well shaded from the effects of the sun till they 

 are perfectly established in the soil. 



The last or shrubby sort must be propagated by setting the cut- 

 tings of the young shoots, in pots of light earth, in the spring or 

 summer months, which should be plunged in a hot-bed to promote 

 their striking root. They may then be placed out in the open air 

 during the summer season, but in the autumn and winter they re- 

 quire the protection of a green-house. 



The first sort, or China Asters, are elegant plants for the purpose 

 of variety, in the clumps and common borders of gardens, or plea- 

 sure grounds. In saving the seeds, they should be selected from the 

 best coloured flowers of the most perfect plants, in October, when 

 they are fully ripened, and be gathered when quite dry. 



The perennial sorts have likewise a showy appearance, in large 

 clumps and borders, when judiciously distributed among other hardy 

 shrubs and herbaceous plants; some of the species continuing to 

 flower to a late period in the autumnal season. 



The shrubby kind affords variety among other green-house plants, 

 both in the summer and winter season. 



