DIVISION OF BOTANY. 



Ralph E. Smith. 



GROWING CHINA ASTERS. 



The remarkably widespread and general failure which has 

 attended the growing of the China Aster in recent times led this 

 Division to undertake an investigation of the subject, which has 

 now extended over several years. While the results are not in all 

 respects as complete as might be desired, the amount of material on 

 hand and the importance of the subject to the growers of this flower 

 seem to justify the publication at this time of what has been accom- 

 plished toward solving the problem. 



It has been found that a number of troubles, quite different in 

 their nature, are responsible for the present condition of affairs and 

 these have been separated and identified in a fairly satisfactory 

 manner, so that we know at present much more definitely than before 

 with what we have to deal. The economic study of the individ- 

 ual diseases falls naturally into two parts, first, the nature and 

 cause of the disease, and second, the development of means for 

 preventing or suppressing it. Some details are still lacking in these 

 particulars, but it is believed that enough has been learned to make 

 the growing of the plant much less difficult than has been the case. 

 In the course of this work all the important varieties of asters obtain- 

 able in America have been grown in quantity, and the experience of 

 other growers in many parts of the country has been drawn upon, in 

 order that the subject may be covered as thoroughly as possible. 

 The conclusions presented are the result of several years' practical 

 experience on a large scale. 



THE PLANT. 



The flower commonly known as the Aster or China Aster {Calli- 

 stcphus hortensis) is a native of the country from which it derives its 

 familiar name, having been introdufcd into Europe about 1731.- 



