NAT. ORDER. COMPOSIT.E. 
87 
Aster JVovibelgii. New Holland Starwort. This species produ- 
ces rough stems about two feet high, dividing towards the top into 
many forked branches, diverging from each other. The flowers grow 
almost in an umbel, and appear in the beginning of September. It 
is a native of Virginia, but may be found all over the New England 
States. 
Aster 2yaniculatus. Panicled Starwort. In this species the stems 
rise about four feet, the stems putting out numerous side branches 
towards the top, which grow erect, forming a loose spike of orange 
colored flowers, which are somewhat bluish ; these expand about 
the middle of October. This is a native of North America, growing 
in all of the Middle States. 
Aster fruticosvs. Shrubby Starwort. In this species the stems 
rise about three feet high, with woody side branches, having clusters 
of leaves quite narrow, somewhat like those of the Larchtree ; the 
flowers are produced from the side of the branches upon long, slender 
peduncles, singly ; they are of a pale blue color, and appear in the 
beginning of March. It is a native of the Cape. 
Propagation and Culture. The hardy kinds of these plants easily 
succeed in almost any soil or situation. The China Aster, or third 
sort and its varieties, being annual plants, are propagated by sowing 
the seeds of the diflferent kinds from the beginning of March to May, 
on a very moderate hot bed, and very lightly covered, the air being 
admitted as much as possible when the weather is suitable, in order 
to promote the vigorous growth of the plants. When they are sufii- 
ciently strong they should be planted out either into beds of earth at 
six inches distance each way, or into the places where they are to 
remain, into the borders or other parts — the latter is probably the 
better practice, as they grow more strongly. In the bed method they 
are usually transplanted after a few weeks, with clumps of earth 
attached to their roots, into the situations where they are to flower, 
the mould being made fine about them. A few of the fine double 
varieties may also be put in pots. Moist weather is the most suita- 
