26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



Asters ; in France, also, many fine varieties have originated, as the Pseony 

 flowered and the Ranunculus flowered Aster. 



Soil. — The Aster should be planted in a rich deep loam, well manured 

 with old well-rotted manure and leaf-mould. As far as my own experience 

 has shown, the plants grow and flower much better in neiv ground : the 

 earth should not be sandy, as in such soil they are very subject to the 

 attacks of a root aphis, which always prove fatal to the plant ; it should 

 not be clayey, for the roots become bound and thus the growth is 

 checked. 



Situation. — The spot to choose for the Aster bed should be sunny ; in 

 the shade they do not thrive, and become drawn, Jacking that rich, vivid, 

 clear color, which is one of the chief beauties of the flower. A sheltered 

 place should also be selected, for the roots of the plants being small have 

 but feeble hold upon the earth, and violent rains and Avinds are apt to dash 

 the plant to the ground, especially when heavy with full-blown flowers. 

 Staking is not necessary, but very useful, especially with the taller kinds. 

 When the flowers have come into bloom an awning is useful to preserve 

 them longer in perfection. Many plant Asters in rows along the vine 

 border, and thus have a fine show of bloom without exhausting the soil, for 

 the Aster, though delighting in a rich soil, is not a high feeder, and does 

 not send its roots deep enough to materially affect the border, but, if pro- 

 curable, a new soil will give richer flowers. 



Season of Planting and Culture. — The seed should be sown in the 

 open border, in the early part or middle of May, according to the season, 

 and, after thinning, the plants will flower where sown, or may be trans- 

 planted ; but this course should only be adopted by those who cannot have 

 a hotbed or greenhouse. The proper way is to sow the seed about the 20th 

 of April to the 1st of May, in pots in the greenhouse, or in a hotbed, (the 

 latter is far preferable.) The young plants will soon appear and grow vig- 

 orously. If in the greenhouse, place the pots near the glass and give 

 plenty of air to prevent the plants from being drawn, and to keep them 

 healthy. In a hotbed raise the sash so as to admit air, or, in fine sun- 

 ny days, remove it entirely. About the first week in June the plants 

 will be of fine size, and ready for transplanting to the bed previously pre- 

 pared, as before directed. The plants, if of the larger kinds, should be 

 planted 12 inches distant each way, for the smaller 8 inches Avill be suffi- 

 cient. A cloudy day should be selected for the transplanting, and the 

 plants watered (if the weather is dry) and shaded for a few days, till they 

 recover from the effects of removal. We have seen a pretty effect pro- 

 duced by planting clumps of Asters, four or five plants of different colors 

 together; but the flowers are finer and the plants stronger, when planted 

 singly. When the plants begin to mature bloom, staking is advantageous, 

 as thus the flower is kept clean and bright, never being beaten down by 

 wind or rain. The blossoms will continue to expand till after the early 

 frosts, as all the flower stems will branch and produce flowers. It is how- 

 ever important to preserve seed from the early blooms, as it is better 

 ripened. The seeds should be saved for fine flowers, only from the two 



