ON ASTERS 



21 



seed, is often astonished to find many different classes 

 offered. He sees Quilled, Paeony-flowered, Ostrich 

 Plume, and many others, and knows not the difference 

 between them. The following table gives the principal 

 types, with a brief description of them : 



Up till comparatively recent times the Chrysanthe- 

 mum-flowered and Victoria were the two most popular 

 annual Asters for the garden, and the Quilled for ex- 

 hibition. They are still grown extensively, but the 

 newer types, Comet and Ostrich Plume, have increased 

 so rapidly in popularity as to dispute the position of 

 the old favourites. The Ostrich Plume is particularly 

 beautiful, as the flowers, although large and rich in 

 colour, have a light and feathery appearance. It grows 

 eighteen inches to two feet high, very little more than 

 either Comet or Victoria, but the habit is a little looser. 

 Unless space is very precious, I should recommend the 

 Ostrich Plume in preference to any other type. If a 

 compact grower is wanted, the Dwarf Chrysanthemum- 

 flowered had better be chosen. The Dwarf Bouquet 



