Originally it was a single flower like the daisy or sunflower, the pres- 

 ent double form being the result of cultivation. The original color 

 is said to have been mauve with a yellow center. A bushy growing 

 form with flowers of this description has been recently put on the 

 market by European seedsmen, which is claimed to be the original 

 species from China. The great modifications which the plant has 

 undergone are due mostly to the German and French gardeners who 

 were the first to cultivate it extensively and who (especially the 

 former) grow most of the seed on the market to-day. In America 

 the plant has been known for more than a century and is now one of 

 the most popular garden annuals as well as an important commercial 

 flower. A considerable amount of seed is now grown in this country, 

 especially in California. 



IvIETHODS OF CULTIVATION. 



Asters, like other annuals, are grown from seed which ordinarily 

 is sown under glass in early spring or in the open ground later in 

 the season. The young plants are pricked out into pots,- flats, or 

 cold frames when large enough and later set out in the open bed 

 where they are to remain. They flourish well in almost any soil, but 

 respond in a marked degree to an increased amount of fertility. 

 Their best development is obtained in a moderately moist, \\ ell- 

 drained soil, rich in organic matter and plant food. 



TROUBLES IN GROWING THE ASTER. 



As already stated this plant has suffered in recent years to a 

 marked extent from a variety of troubles, which have in some cases 

 caused its abandonment by professional growers and everywhere 

 brought failure and disappointment to those who take delight in it. 

 Along with those diseases which occupy more paiticularly the atten- 

 tion of the botanist, it has been found that several insects are also 

 the cause of much damage, so that all in all no out-of-door plant is 

 more badly affected than this. 



Most of those who grow asters buy their plants from the florist 

 when large enough to set out. They are put out in the bed and if 

 proper care is given and all goes well it is but a few days before 

 they are growing nicely and go on to full development. More often, 

 however, there is trouble from the first, for it is at this stage that 

 one of the worst diseases begins to show itself. 



