86 



CROP PRODUCTION 



Seed sown in drills outdoors early in May will soon de- 

 velop into vigorous seedlings which may be transplanted 

 to the bed or border where the blossoms are wanted. 



Great numbers of Asters are grown to be sold by 

 florists in the cut-flower trade. For this purpose long 



stems and perfect 

 flowers are necessary. 

 The buds are some- 

 times eaten by blister 

 beetles, which should 

 be collected and killed. 

 The plants are likely 

 to suffer from a sort 

 of bHght if grown re- 

 peatedly in the same 

 soil. To prevent this, 

 rotation and careful 

 seed selection are nec- 

 essary. The China 

 Aster is called by 

 botanists Callistephus 

 China Asters hortensis. 



The Comet Type 



Marigolds 



Two distinct species of Marigolds are commonly culti- 

 vated; the Tall Marigold is Tagetes erecta; the Dwarf or 

 French Marigold is Tagetes patula. Both have been in 

 cultivation for more than three centuries and have been 

 developed into many varieties. 



The colors of the TaU form range only through yellow 

 and orange, while those of the French range through 

 yellow, orange, brown, and red. The color tones are 



