528 FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND 



Nasturtium and Tropseolum are to be planted. A rather poor soil 

 is necessary for these, or the flowers will be hidden by excessive 

 foliage. 



ABUTILON. There is yet time to raise plants to flower during the 

 current year. The seedlings must be potted on regularly to render 

 them robust and free flowering. 



AQUILEGIA sown in the early part of this month in a frame will 

 produce plants which may flower later in the year, provided the 

 season is favourable, but they will certainly pay for this early sowing 

 in the succeeding spring. The plant is quite hardy, therefore seed 

 may be sown later on in the open for flowers in the following year. 



ASTER. Only those who are closely acquainted with the modern 

 development of this handsome flower can have any conception of 

 its varied forms and colours. There are dwarf, medium, and tall 

 varieties, in almost endless diversity, and nearly all of them will be 

 a credit to any garden if well grown. Too often, however, flowers 

 are seen which are a mere caricature of what Asters may become 

 under the hands of men who understand their requirements. To 

 grow them to perfection, the ground should be trenched in the previous 

 autumn, where the soil is deep enough to justify the operation. If 

 not, dig deeply, and make it rich with decayed manure ; a layer 

 should also be put at the bottom of each trench as the work proceeds. 

 Leave the land roughly exposed to the disintegrating effects of 

 winter frosts ; and in spring it should be lightly forked over once or 

 twice to produce a friable condition, in which the roots will run 

 freely, and go down to the buried manure for stimulating food. If 

 by such means stiff land can be made mellow, it will grow Asters of 

 magnificent size and colour. In sowing, it is not wise to put all the 

 eggs in one basket. We advise at least two sowings ; and three are 

 better, even if only a few plants are wanted. This diminishes the 

 risk of failure, and prolongs the flowering season. Prepare a compost 

 of leaf-mould and loam, mixed with sharp sand to insure drainage. 

 Towards the end of the month, sow in pots or in seed-pans on an 

 even surface ; and we lay stress on a thin sowing to avoid the danger 

 of the seedlings damping off. Barely cover the seed with finely 

 sifted soil, and place sheets of glass over to check rapid evaporation. 

 If water must be given, immerse the pots for a sufficient time, rather 

 than apply it to the surface. A cool greenhouse, vinery, or a half- 

 spent hot-bed is a good position for them, and a range of tem- 

 perature from 55 to 65 should be regarded as the outside limits of 

 variation. 



