Asters in Pots. 261 



him the profit, not the forlorn old house in which he lived, his profits went 

 into additional land, while the old house remained unpainted and shabby 

 as before. He might put up new barns, because they were necessary ; but, 

 according to his utilitarian philosophy, the old wooden homestead was 

 good enough. 



These unsightly houses are still abundant in New Jersey. Every stranger 

 notices them, and is astonished at the absence of taste and skill displayed 

 in their construction. Ambitious settlers are compelled to buy such, and 

 build or alter for themselves. The march of architectural taste is gradu- 

 ally sweeping them away, either by pulling down or remodelling ; and al- 

 ready the marks of a more cultivated taste are evident in the new struc- 

 tures built by the numerous New-England and Northern men who have 

 recently come to settle here. 



It was one of these time-worn shingle houses that my father had been 

 compelled to purchase. The land was exactly what he wanted ; and, to 

 secure that, he was forced to take the house. But we adapted ourselves 

 to its inconveniences without complaint, trusting that the future would 

 enable us to improve it. H. 



Burlington, N.J. 



Asters in Pots. — About the middle of March, sow the seeds rather 

 thinly in pans, and place these under a frame on a mild hot-bed, and near 

 the glass. When up, keep the young plants near the glass, and afford plenty 

 of air. When they are large enough to handle, prick them off in pans, 

 return them to the frame, and, about the middle of May, take up with good 

 balls, and pot in their blooming-pots, shading for a few days until estab- 

 lished. Let the compost consist of the richest turfy loam which can be 

 obtained, well-rotted manure, and sand in equal parts ; and well drain the 

 pots. Plunge in ashes in an open situation by the end of May, giving 

 plenty of room. Syringe every evening ; water when necessary ; and liquid 

 manure may be supplied alternately with pure water twice or thrice a week. 

 Top-dressings of reduced manure are also good. A nine-inch pot is not 

 too large for a plant. 



