67 
S6 ili 
DREER’S 
SUPERB ASTERS 
| STERS are one of the most important summer and autumn 
flowers, and receive special care at our hands. Yearly 
exhaustive tests of both home-grown and imported stocks 
are made with a view to offering only the choicest kinds, regard- 
less of cost. As a result of this care, our list comprises only such 
sorts as can be planted with perfect confidence that nothing 
better is procurable, no matter at what price or from what source. 
The early sorts begin blooming in July, followed by the mid- 
season kinds, which flower during August; then the late-flower- 
ing varieties, which are at their best through September. It is 
quite easy, therefore, with a little care in the selection of the 
varieties, to have Asters in flower from the first days in July until 
hard frost. 
Culture. Asters will thrive in any good soil, prepared in 
the same way as you would for a crop of vegetables, but it is 
well to remember that any extra care taken in the preparation of 
the soil is repaid by finer plants, larger blooms, with longer stems 
and more profuse flowering. They should have an open, sunny 
position, and prefer a good, heavy, loamy soil, enriched with a 
liberal quantity of thoroughly rotted manure, and the addition 
of wood ashes or air-slaked lime, and we do not advise growing them on the same ground two years in succession. 
For early flowering the seed should be started in the house, hot-bed or cold-frame in April, transferring them to their flowering 
quarters as soon as danger from frost is past. For August and later flowering it is just as well to sow them in the open in May, 
preferably in a prepared seed bed, transplanting them when two or three inches high to where they are to bloom, although they may 
be sown where they are to flower with almost as good results. 
The main essentials to insure fine Asters are a rich soil, frequent cultivation, no check to their growth from start to finish, and 
ample room to develop. When wanted for cutting with long stems, they should be set out not closer than twelve inches apart in 
the rows and two feet between the rows. When wanted for mass effects in beds they may be planted nine inches to a foot apart 
each way. : 
Asters are sometimes attacked by an aphis or louse at their roots, which is quickly shown by a sickly appearance. Pull up one or 
two plants and examine the roots carefully, and if any signs of trouble apply tobacco dust, a small handful to each plant, working it 
into the soil. This usually effects a cure, and is at the same time an excellent fertilizer. 
They are also sometimes affected by stem rot, a fungus disease, which causes the stem to decay just at the point it emerges from 
the ground. A handful or two of powdered sulphur or dry Bordeaux Mixture strewn along the rows usually proves efficacious. 
Both of the above troubles are rarely met with if the plants are grown on good soil and are not checked in.their growth. The 
addition of wood ashes and air-slaked lime at the time of the preparation of the beds also helps to prevent these troubles. : 
The Aster or Black Beetle, which devours the flowers, can only be destroyed by hand-picking or by knocking them into a basin or 
receptacle in which there is some water and kerosene oil. 
BRANCHING 
PAONY-FLOWERED. 
A mid-season variety which in vigor of growth, habit, size of 
bloom and all other qualities which go to make up a first class 
Aster is unequalled. The plants grow about 18 inches high, 
every flower being borne on a long stem, making them valuable 
for cutting or bedding. 
ae 
BRANCHING P#ONY-FLOWERED ASTER. 
PER PKT. PER PKT. 
1375 Crimson ........ 10 | 1377 Peach Blossom... 10 
1376 Dark Blue ...... 10 | 1378 Pure White .... 10 
A packet of each of the 4 colors, 30 cts. 
1380 Fimest Mixed Colors. 1} oz., 50 cts........... 10 
GIANT COMET. 
This type is very handsome, with immense plumy flowers; 
blooms in August; height, 18 to 24 inches. 
eo eGianie Grenwihitey re senses see ee a 10 
1296 The Bride. The flowers, on opening, are of the 
purest white, changing as they become older to a beau- 
tifulasmace to frose a tty MMPI eNotes ee 10 
stems over a foot long; flowers extremely loose and 
graceful;ea grand type for cutting. Mixed colors. 4 
OZRPOORCESS sae dtetne CA NE oy Stns oh Mant ee beet (0) 
CROWN or COCARDEAU. 
A very showy class, blooming in August, bright-colored flow- 
ers with white centres; 14 feet. 
1280 Finest Mixed Colors. } oz., 5)cts............ 10 
1278 Imported Collection. 6 colors. _............. - 40 Giant Comet ASTER. 
We offer some extra fine Asters on page 55. 
