COMMERCIAL VALUE OF FLOWERS 215 



ready to set out by the first of July, earlier if blossoms 

 are desired before September. 



Procure seed of the large variety from some reliable 

 seed house. Plant in April in boxes of sifted earth. You 

 will find cigar boxes just right for this purpose, as they 

 will be light to handle, and are just right for standing 

 upon a window-sill, if one has to grow them in the liv- 

 ing room. 



Make four drills about a quarter of an inch deep, 

 the length of the box. Put about eight seeds to the inch 

 in the drill, and cover with earth. Pat down and keep 

 moist. The boxes may be placed near the heat, where 

 the earth will be kept warm, if the top is kept well mois- 

 tened. 



It is a good plan to keep covered with wet moss, 

 or if moss cannot be had, place a cloth over the box 

 to prevent evaporation. If the seed is fresh, and the 

 earth kept warm, the plants will appear by the fourth day. 



The box will then be uncovered and placed in a strong 

 light, or the little plants will grow long, weak stems. 

 Aster-plants cannot be given too much sunlight. As often 

 as the weather will permit, place the boxes of young plants 

 outside in the sunlight, but sheltered from the strong 

 wind. 



When the plants have their fourth leaf, they should 

 be transplanted. Place them an inch apart in flats — boxes 

 containing earth two inches in depth. As soon as they 

 are well established in these new quarters, give an abund- 

 ance of water, and their growth will amaze you. 



They should be kept outside all of the time after being 

 placed in the flats. Watch out for frosty nights, how- 

 ever, for aster-plants will not stand even a little frost. 

 Meanwhile, during the time that the plants are growing 

 in the flats, we must be preparing the plot in the gar- 

 den. Any rich soil is suitable for asters. Of course the 

 richer, the better. 



