214 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



small portions can be worked into it, the land will be permanently 

 benefited. 



A very stiff soil will, however, present greater difficulties ; but if 

 by free working it can be made sufficiently friable, Asters will revel in 

 it and produce flowers of a size and colour to reward the cultivator 

 for all his trouble. Throw the ground up roughly in October. The 

 more it is exposed to the action of wind and snow and frost, the more 

 thoroughly will the winter disintegrate its particles and render it fertile. 

 Early in spring give another digging, and then work in a good supply 

 of decayed manure, together with grit, charcoal, wood ashes, or 

 other material that will help to render the soil rich and free. Aim at 

 inducing the roots to go down deep for supplies there will then be 

 a cool moist bottom even in dry weather, and these conditions will 

 do much toward the production of fine stocky plants, which are the 

 harbingers of an imposing display of flowers. 



For sowings from the end of March to the middle of April, prepare 

 a compost, consisting principally of decayed leaf-mould, with sufficient 

 loam to render it firm, and sharp sand to secure drainage. Either 

 pots or seed-pans may be used. Place these in a cool greenhouse, or 

 in a Cucumber or Melon pit, or even on a half-spent hot-bed. Sow 

 thinly ; a thick sowing is very likely to damp off. Just hide the seed 

 with finely sifted soil, and place sheets of glass at the top to prevent 

 rapid evaporation. Give no water unless the soil becomes quite 

 dry, and then it is better to immerse the pot or pan for half an 

 hour rather than to apply water on the surface. When the plants 

 attain the third leaf they can be pricked off round the edges of 

 6o-pots (3^-inch). From these they may either have another shift 

 singly into small pots, or may be transferred direct to blooming 

 quarters. A high temperature is not requisite at any stage of growth, 

 indeed it is distinctly injurious. From 55 to 65 are the extreme 

 limits, and the happy medium should, if possible, be maintained. 

 Give air on every suitable occasion, and as the time of transfer to 

 the open ground approaches, endeavour to approximate nearly to 

 the outside temperature. The plants will then scarcely feel the 

 removal. 



Another and simpler proceeding will produce fairly good results, 

 and we give it for the benefit of those whose resources may be small, 

 or who do not care to adopt the more troublesome method. In 

 some spot shaded from the sun make a heap of stable manure rather 

 larger than the light to be placed upon it. Level the top and cover 

 with four or five inches of rich soil. Place a frame upon it with the 



