134 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



them to be put out. The last week in March is early 

 enough for the first sowing, and a cold frame will be the 

 best place for the pan or box in which the seeds are sown. 

 For all ordinary purposes it is not desirable to sow until 

 about the 15th of April, as there is then no probability that 

 the plants will suffer a check. The young plants should 

 have as much air and light as they can bear, the cul- 

 tivator, of course, keeping in mind that they are tender 

 in constitution. If they have insufficient light they will 

 become weak and wiry, and if insufficient air they will 

 soon be smothered with green fly, and thereby seriously 

 impoverished. 



As soon as large enough to handle, prick out the young 

 plants in a bed of light rich soil in a frame ; put them 

 three inches apart, water them well, and keep the frame 

 rather close for two or three days ; then give air with 

 caution, and increase the ventilation daily, and they will 

 become strong and well prepared for planting out. 



A bed for asters should be made ready a few weeks 

 before it is wanted. The third week in May is soon 

 enough for planting out, and dull warm weather should be 

 chosen for the business; in any case, if the nights are 

 frosty, the plants had best remain in their snug bed under 

 glass until a change occurs. If put out in sunny weather, 

 turn empty pots over them for a day or two to save them 

 from exhaustion. As a rule, they should lie planted a foot 

 apart every way, but this rule may be varied as circum- 

 stances may suggest. They should be lifted with care, so 

 that every tuft of roots is kept intact, and should be firmly 

 though gently pressed into their places, and then have a 

 good watering to finish the work. The remainder of the 

 management will consist chiefly in watering and weeding, 



