BlFHWirADRm-IHHADB.PHIA-M-^r RELIABLE FLOWER SEEDS 



07 



Dkeer's Superb Late Branching Asters. 



DREER'S SUPERB ASTERS. 



ASTERS 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, regardless 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-flowering 

 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 flower- 

 ing quarters as soon as danger from frost is passed. 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 a foot apart each way. 



Enemies. 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. 



DREER'S SUPERB LATE 

 BRANCHING. 



This superb strain is of American origin, and is especially 

 adapted to our climatic conditions. 



The plants form strong, branching bushes, 2 to 2J feet high, 

 bearing on long, strong stems their handsome Chrysanthemum- 

 like flowers, which, under ordinary cultivation, average 5 inches 

 across. They come into bloom from two to three weeks after 

 the average type, usually being at their best during September. 

 We offer eight beautiful and distinct colors: 



■KT. PER PKT. 



10 1425 Pure White 10 



10 1426 Rose-pink 10 



10 1427 Azure=blue 10 



10 1428 Deep rose 10 



1421 Deep Crimson 



1422 Pale Lavender. 



1423 Deep Purple . . 



1424 Sheli-pink 



1429 Collection of a packet each of the 8 colors, 60 cts. 



1430 Finest Mixed. All colors. J oz., 50 cts 



10 



BRANCHING 



P^ONY-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. 



PER PKT. PER PKT. 



10 

 10 



1375 Crimson 10 1377 Peach Blossom 



1376 Dark Blue 10 1378 Pure White. 



A packet of each of the 4 colors, 30 cts. 

 1380 Finest Mixed Colors. } oz., 50 cts 



CROWN or COCARDEAU. 



10 



A very showy class, blooming 

 ers with white centres; li feet. 

 1280 Finest Mixed Colors. 

 1278 Imported Collection. 



August, bright-colored flow- 



10 



6 colors 40 



J- oz., 60 cts. 



We offer some fine NEW ASTERS. See Novelties, pages 54 to 62. 



