The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



plants, always leaving the strongest, and arrange that finally they 

 will be left at from eight to fifteen inches apart according to the 

 sort. 



Keep the ground clean, and before the flowering stage is reached 

 gently stir the surface, but not deep enough to injure the roots. A 

 thick top dressing of well-decayed manure operates beneficially in 

 keeping the surface cool and moist, and it also promotes the growth 

 of the plant. On no account use fresh manure, or in a few days the 

 plants will appear to be scorched. In that case further trouble will 

 be wasted, and they may as well be destroyed at once. An occasional 

 application of weak manure water will be advantageous, but it must 

 not be allowed to touch the foliage. 



For tall varieties it may be needful to provide support. If so, 

 place a neat stick on that side of the plant towards which it leans, as 

 this takes the strain off the tying material, and saves the plant from 

 being cut or half-strangled. In a dry season, and especially on light 

 soils, there must be a bountiful supply of soft water, alternated every 

 few days with the manure water already alluded to. Evening is the 

 best time to apply it. 



Plants reserved for show purposes require rather more room than 

 we have stated. Only about five buds should be matured by each, 

 and these, of course, the finest. To prepare flowers for exhibition 

 is in itself an art, and each cultivator must be guided by his own 

 resources and experience. 



Asters in pots make excellent decorative subjects. It is only 

 necessary to lift them carefully from the borders with balls of earth 

 surrounding the roots, and pot them just before the buds expand. 



The plants are liable to the attacks of aphis, both green and black. 

 While under glass the pests can be destroyed by tobacco smoke ; but 

 in the open a solution of some good insecticide may be administered 

 with the syringe at intervals of about three days, until a clearance is 

 effected. Other foes are the various grubs which attack plants at 

 the collar. On the first sign of failing vigour, gently remove with a 

 pointed stick the soil around the plant, and in doing this avoid any 

 needless disturbance of the roots. Do not be satisfied until the 

 enemy is destroyed. 



Aster seed is not an easy thing to harvest well/ particularly in 

 damp weather. The flat-petaled varieties are especially liable to 

 injury, for the massive flowers retain so much moisture that the 

 organs of fructification are easily damaged or destroyed. In certain 

 seasons it is difficult to secure seed which is leally strong in germi- 



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