24 



BECKERT SEED AND BULB COMPANY 



B. S, & B, Co/s 



Many flower lovers omit Asters from their 

 gardens, under the impression that they are 

 difflcfalt to grow, but during the past sum- 

 mer we have seen them growing side by 

 side under what appeared to be the worst 

 possible conditions with such hardy care- 

 free flowers as Calllopsis, Poppies and 

 Bachelor Buttons; there was even one lot 

 interspersed, with a most brilliant effect, in 

 a shrubbery border. 



Cultuie. Plant Aster seed indoors or in 

 a hotbed in March for early blooms. When 

 plants are 2 to 3 inches high, thin out or 

 transplant to stand 4 inches apart each way 

 or into 2 -inch pots. When 6 inches high, 

 plants should be set In their permanent 

 position, never closer than 12 inches apart. 



Excellent results are also obtained by 

 sowing seed where plants are to bloom. We 

 have found that In many instances Aster- 

 wilt and the yellows are less prevalent on 

 plants raised in this manner. Sow seed in 

 same manner as other annuals in a fine seed 

 bed and do not cover too deeply. When 

 large enough, thin out or transplant as given 

 above. 



Aster Diseases. Damping-off and Aster- 

 wilt may be prevented by treating the seeds 

 with Semesan before planting, or the roots 

 may be dipped in a normal solution of liquid 

 Semesan when transplanting. 



The Aster Beetle has not been so bad the 

 past few years, but is easily kept in con- 

 trol by the use of an arsenical spray. 



930 CAIiirOBiriA GIANT SUNSHINZ:. A 



superb new Aster, the results of a direct 

 cross between the Double California Gi- 

 ants and the old Sunshine type. Plants 

 grow 2V2 to 3 ft. high, and bear long 

 stemmed flowers 5 to 6 inches across. 

 Colorings are just as vivid as those of 

 the old Sunshine type, yellow center discs 

 and encircling guard petals with outer 

 rows either pink, rose or blue. Pkt.. 25c. 



California Giant Sunshine Aster 



AURORA ASTERS 



A distinct type from Italy, somewhat 

 similar to Sunshine Asters, but the guard 

 petals are much closer together and cen- 

 ters are fuller. 



940 Azure Blue. Guard petals are clear 

 azure-blue with bright yellow center 

 quills. Plants strong and vigorous, 

 about 2 feet high. Pkt., 25c. 



941 Golden Queen. Similar to the above 

 but outer guard petals are creamy 

 white, while the quills are a deeper 

 yellow at the center. Pkt., 25c. 



Supreme Asters 



King or Needle Aster 



WILT RESISTANT ASTERS. The dread- 

 ed Aster wilt has caused many garden- 

 ers to omit this beautiful flower from 

 their gardens. Now with these wilt- 

 resistant strains, developed after years 

 of work, it is again possible to grow 

 these lovely annuals, no matter how 

 badly the soil is infested. No treat- 

 ment of seed or soil is necessary before 

 planting. These Asters are not resist- 

 ant to the Aster Yellows, which is a 

 disease carried by leaf -hoppers, the 

 same as malaria is transmitted by 

 mosquitoes, but the leaf hoppers can be 

 controlled by frequent spraying with 

 Ever Green Spray. See page 64. 



WII.T RESISTANT ROYAI. ASTERS. 



Bloom early and over a long period, 

 flowers are fairly large and are borne 

 on long stems suitable for cutting. 



841 Lavender. 844 Shell-Pink. 



842 Purple. 845 White. 



843 Rose. 850 Mixed. 



Each, pkt., 15c; V4 oz., 75c. 



849 COLLECTION: One pkt. of each of 

 the above 5 colors, 60c. 



WILT RESISTANT QUEEN OP THE 

 MARKET ASTER. These start the As- 

 ter season in July. The plants are 

 bushy, branching freely and bear full, 

 double flowers. 



901 Crimson. 904 Lavender. 



902 Dark Blue. 905 Scarlet. 



803 Plesh-Plnk. 906 Pure White. 

 910 All Colors Mixed. 

 Each, pkt., 15c; V4 oz., 75c. 



909 COLLECTION: One pkt. of each of 

 the above 6 colors. 75c. 



WILT RESISTANT AMERICAN LATE 

 BRANCHING ASTER. The flowers are 

 large and full-centered, borne on long, 

 strong stems, making them ideal for 

 cutting. 



801 Crimson. 804 Shell-Flnk. 



802 Dark Blue. 805 Copper-Rose. 



803 Light Blue. 806 Pure White. 



810 All Colors Mixed. 

 Each, pkt., 10c; i/4 oz., 75o. 

 809 COLLECTION: One pkt. Of each of 

 the above 6 colors, 50c. 



