136 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLO WEES. 



one of the first objects of the cultivator of a flower is to 

 promote variation and establish the most distinct and 

 beautiful varieties. For exhibition purposes the best 

 varieties are those known as the Victoria, French Paeony, 

 Giant French, and Betteridge's. 



For large beds, mixtures of colours are desirable, but 

 the flowers should be uniform in style, and therefore only 

 one sort or section of asters should be grown in a bed. 

 Those who know the sorts well may indeed use several in 

 the same bed, but the safe way for the beginner is to be 

 content with one or two say a moderately tall kind for the 

 mass, and a dwarf er sort for the margin. One of the best 

 sorts for beds is the Tall Chrysanthemum-flowered, and 

 the Globe German may be used next the margin. The 

 Washington makes a fine bed, with immense flowers of all 

 colours. If a choice dwarf sort is wanted for a bed, there 

 is, perhaps, none better than the Dwarf Pseony Perfection. 



For pot culture the Dwarf Victoria, Dwarf Schiller, 

 and Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered are invaluable, and 

 in common with other kinds may be had in a variety of 

 colours. To grow them well in pots great care is requisite. 



