150 



GARDENING B Y MYSELF. 



which I thought I could not afford, and Mr. 

 Vick somehow thought he could. 



Asters need careful staking and tying up 

 — the slender sorts — as they grow taller and 

 begin to send out their buds. Put the 

 stake close to the stem of the plant, firmly 

 down, and let the end and upper part of it 

 be hid in the leaves and shoots so far as may 

 be. Never try to fasten several branches 

 with the same string ; they will always be 

 crowded and look ill. Some kinds of asters 

 are called strong enough to stand alone ; 

 but summer gusts are very trying, and 

 blown-down plants are very forlorn. 



For balsams Mr. Vick recommends some 

 training and trimming, as well as tying. 

 For instance, pinch off all the side shoots, 

 and the plant will grow into a tall straight 

 cylinder of blossoms. Or for a change of 

 effect, leave three or four side shoots, and 

 pinch out the centre one. Either will make 

 a beautiful show ; or if you prefer a more 

 natural growth and shape, the balsams from 

 Mr. Vick's seed are large enough and bril- 



