THE MICHAELMAS DAISY AS A GARDEN PLANT. 21 



of the class, especially A. Novi-Belgii, A. Icevis, and their 

 kind. In this class small detached pieces, showing in spring 

 only two or three shoots, make by autumn the best plants and 

 have the finest flowers. They must neither be crowded by 

 having other plants too near them, nor have the stalks too close 

 on each plant, because to be shown in good condition they must 



Fig. 6. — Astee ebicoides. (From the Dictionary of Gardening.) 



have room to flower -freely on each branch down to the lowest. 

 Experience alone will teach the best way to treat each kind. 

 The best time for dividing all of them is as soon as spring 

 growth begins. This may be in January or may be in March, 

 according to the season, but the young shoots should be active 

 and not more than an inch above ground. It is not all that are 



