86 THE GAKDENEK'S COMPANION 



can be had in such splendid variety of colour, in such 

 different degrees of height, and can be brought 

 into bloom at such a wide distance of time, that 

 we should indeed feel lost without them. A border 

 of Asters in our kitchen-garden is a joy to behold, 

 and also to cut from ; but besides this you will do 

 well to have groups of Asters among your mixed 

 flowers. Especially are the single Asters (C. 

 sinensis) suitable for this, as they grow into fine 

 branching plants, bearing a quantity of flowers of 

 equal size and beauty ; they can be had in lovely 

 clear shades of mauve and pink, and also in white. 

 There are so many kinds of Asters to select from that 

 it is puzzling for a beginner, but I advise you to have 

 some "Victoria Asters," some "Ostrich Plume," 

 especially the salmon-pink, and some Paeony- 

 flowered ; and do not leave out " Vick's late white," 

 which are very large, with delightful long stalks, 

 and come into bloom long after any others, about 

 the end of September or October. 



Asters must be liberally treated if you want 

 them at their best, and if you mean to use them 

 for filling in borders you should prick them out of 

 their seed-pan into large deep boxes of really good 

 soil, at some distance apart, and let them grow there 



