128 CUT FLOWERS. 



ASTEE. 



Two classes are generally provided for exhibiting the China 

 (or German) Asters: (1.) Chrysanthemum -flowered, and (2.) 

 Quilled. The former includes all those with flat florets, and the 

 latter the varieties with quilled florets. Seed of the best 

 strains should be sown in mild heat during April, in sandy 

 soil and leaf-mould, and the seedlings pricked into boxes four 

 inches apart, shaded for a time, and afterwards removed to a 

 position near the glass in a cold frame. It is of importance 

 that the plants receive no check from cold, crowding, or want 

 of water, but that they should be strong, dwarf, and healthy 

 for planting out in the end of May, or beginning of June. 

 The ground on which they are to grow should be rich, and a 

 little lime and soot forked into the svirface previous to planting. 

 Plant in rows two feet apart, and irom one to two feet, according 

 to the varieties, betAveen the plants. They should be watered 

 in dry weather and well fed, to produce large, fine flowers. 

 The points of merit are : (1.) Size, form, and freshness of 

 flowers; (2.) smoothness of outline and regularity of the 

 petals ; and (3.) colour, which should be pure or bright. The 

 Quilled should be round and full, and the florets equal, regu- 

 lar, and free from coarseness. 



CAMELLIA. 



The Camellia as a cut bloom, although slightly lacking in 

 gracefulness, has a chaste beauty and symmetry of form pecu- 

 liarly its own. Some of the best varieties for exhibition are 

 Adriana, Alba plena, Carlotta PapiidofE, Comtesse, Lavinia 

 Maggi, Cup of Beauty, Fimbriata, Lady Hume's Blush, 

 Mathotiana, Princess Marie, Reine des Beautes, Targioni, 

 and Thomas Moore. For the cultivation of the Camellia see 

 " Camellia " in the First Division. The points of merit are : 

 (1.) Size and form of blooms; (2.) arrangement and texture 

 of the petals; and (3.) colour: if white, it should be pure; 

 if coloured) dense and bright ; if streaked, the colours should 

 be distinct. 



