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BECKERT SEED AND BULB COMPANY 



American Beauty Aster. 



Many flower lovers omit Asters from their 

 gardens, under the impression that they are 

 difficult 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 Calliopsis, Poppies and 

 Bachelor Buttons; there was even one lot 

 interspersed, with a most brilliant effect, in 

 a shrubbery border. 



Ctilture. Plant Aster seed Indoors or in 

 a hotbed in March for early blooms. WTien 

 plants are 2 to 3 inches hig'h, thin out or 

 transplant to stand 4 inches apart each way 

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

 plants should be set in their permanent 

 position, never closer than 12 inches apart. 



EJxcellent 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. See 

 page 81 for Semesan. 



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. 



Supreme Asters 



CAI.XFOBNTA GIANT ASTEB. A superb 



new race of Asters that surpasses, by far, 

 any previously introduced. Plants strict- 

 ly branching type, bearing their blooms 

 on long, strong stems. The flowers them- 

 selves leave nothing to be desired. They 

 are the same type as the Crego or Ostrich 

 Feather Aster, with long, twisted, and 

 curled petals, full double, and when well 

 grown 5 to 6 inches in diameter. 



821 Deep Purple. Royal purple. 



822 Deep Rose. Rich clear rose. 



823 Liglit Blue. Clear light lavender-blue. 



824 Peach Blossom. Peach-blossom-pink. 



825 White. Pure snow white. 



830 Supreme Mixed. A fine mixture con- 

 taining all the above and other colors. 

 Each, pkt., 25c; Yb oz., 75c. 



829 CODI.BCTION: One pkt. of each of the 

 above 5 colors. $1.10. 



I.ATE AMBBICAN BBAUTT ASTBB. The 

 latest and the finest of all Asters. Plants 

 2 to 3 feet high, branching type. Com- 

 mence to bloom in early September. Flow- 

 ers are extremely large and are borne on 

 1^^- to 2-foot stems. They ship well and 

 last a long time in water. 



871 Carmine Bose. The original American 

 Beauty Aster. 



872 Crimson. Rich deep crimson. 



873 Lavender. Light grayish lavender. 



874 Purple. Deep royal purple. 



875 September Beauty. Flesh-pink. 



876 White Beauty. Mammoth in size. 

 880 Pinest Mixed. All colors blended. 



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

 879 COLDECTION: One pkt. of each of the 

 above 6 colors, 75c. 



California Giant Aster. 



ASTEB PZ.ANTS TO AIT OUNCE 



There are between 10 and 12 thousand 

 Aster seeds to an ounce, according to 

 variety, and under average conditions an 

 ounce of seed will produce 5,000 to 6,000 

 strong, healthy plants. 



TWO NEW ASTEBS 



AUBOBA ASTEB 



A distinct type from Italy, somewhat 

 similar to Sunshine Asters, but the 

 guard petals are much closer together 

 and centers 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., 50c. 



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., 50c. 



