28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



iio^lect is to be regretted, since the beauty of the new varieties demands 

 that we regard the Pyramidal Aster as an annual of the first class. 



This is indisputable, that true amateurs have for a few years sought for 

 them, and have begun to bestow upon them the care which will improve 

 them, and by which alone they can enjoy the charming appearance which 

 the plant presents in its flowering season. 



Convinced that the culture of this plant will give satisfaction to those 

 who admire this queen of our gardens, I have yielded to the wishes of 

 many amateurs by making known my mode of cultivation, in which I have 

 had great success for many years. It is this culture which has enabled rae 

 to obtain many new varieties, not only remarkable for their perfection of 

 form, the elegance of their habit and the size of flower, but also for the 

 purity and richness of the various colors. 



I. Sowing. 



1st. The seed may be sown in two ways ; in the open ground; in pots 

 or pans, under bell-glasses, or in frames. 



Soion in the open ground. 



To protect the seed from cold, I prefer a southern aspect for the bed, 

 and a soil nutritious, rich, light, and well mellowed, which I level and press 

 lightly with the back of a shovel. I then place on the bell glasses or the 

 frames which are to receive the sashes which protect the seed while ger- 

 minating. About the 15th of March to the 1st of April (in this country it 

 should be six weeks later), I raise the bell glasses or sashes and sow the 

 seed, taking care to place them well apart and to press them upon the 

 earth. After the seed is thus strewed, and after giving a slight watering, 

 I cover it very lightly with fine, moist earth ; then I replace the bell glasses 

 or the sashes, which I cover with straw mats in frosty nights, and, during 

 the day in clear weather, I shade slightly to break the direct rays of the 

 sun. As soon as the plants appear, which will be in eight or ten days after 

 sowing (according to the weather), 1 water gently whenever there is need, 

 and give air gradually, taking care always to give as much air as possible 

 to a plant which is not very strong, in order to render it more robust. 

 During the day I take off" the glasses or sashes which cover them, whenever 

 the weather permits, taking care, however, to recover in the evening. 



It is necessary to destroy the insects, which are very fond of the young 

 plants, as soon as they appear above ground; the wood lice, the "loches," 

 and the black spiders often, during the night, do much damage. One must 

 be on the watch for the last, from the time the seeds come up till the plant 

 is removed to the garden; (we are not troubled with the two last mentioned 

 insects.) 



The seed sown at this time and treated as I recommend, will produce 

 plants which begin to flower early in August, and continue in bloom until 

 September. It will be advantageous, in order to prolong as much as possi- 

 ble the flowering season, and to enjoy new flowers for a long time, to make 

 several sowings, at ten or fifteen days from the first. In general, however, 



