OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWEES. 39 



blooms in a cut state are very durable; they not only hold 

 together, but also keep a good colour. Under cultivation it is in 

 no way particular ; it will endure anything but being deprived of 

 light; from its dwarf, stout, and shrubby character, it would 

 form a useful and a handsome edging to the larger walks ; and 

 by growing it so extensively an enviable supply of flowers for 

 cutting would be at hand. 



A stock of young plants may soon be got up by division of 

 strong roots after the flowering season ; such pieces as have roots 

 may be planted at once in their permanent quarters ; the rootless 

 parts should be dibbled into light sandy loam and shaded with 

 branches for a week or two. 



Flowering period, June and July. 



A. a. albus is a white-flowered variety, blooming about the 

 same time. There does not appear to be that vigour about it 

 which characterises the type; this, however, is not the only 

 shortcoming ; when compared with the rich purple flower, the 

 white one, with its large yellow disk, appears, to say the least, a 

 questionable improvement. 



Aster Ptarmicoides. 



BOUQUET STAEWOET ; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 

 THIS Starwort is a very recently - imported species from 

 North America. Like many other things which have proved 

 worthless as decorative flowers, this was highly praised, but 

 for a while its weedy-looking foliage caused suspicion; after 

 becoming well established, it flowered, and, I am glad to say, 

 proves a most distinct and useful Starwort. Its small white 

 flowers much resemble the field daisy, but they are borne on 

 densely-branched stems in hundreds ; in fact, the plant, which 

 grows nearly 2ft. high, seems to be nearly all flowers. Each one 

 has a single ray of shining white florets, narrow and separate. 

 Those of the disk are of a canary-yellow colour ; the imbricated 

 calyx is pear-shaped ; pedicels slender, bent, wiry, and furnished 

 with very small leaves ; main stems hispid, woody, and brittle. 

 The leaves of the root are 2in. to 4in. long, smooth, entire, linear, 

 almost grass-like; those of the stems much less, becoming 

 smaller as they near the flowers ; they are somewhat rough, 

 partaking of the quality of the stems. The habit of the plant is 

 much branched, the spreading clusters of flowers being six or ten 

 times the size of the plant, so that it becomes top-heavy; it 

 blooms for many weeks, and is not damaged by coarse weather. 

 Amongst other Asters it shows to advantage, flowering earlier 

 than most of them, but lasting well into their period of bloom. 

 It is sure to prove a useful white autumnal flower ; small sprays 

 when cut look better than on the plant, as they are then seen to 

 be well spread and rigidly held by means of their wiry stalks ; 



