CARTER AND CO.’S GARDENER’S VADE-MECUM FOR 18G2. 
3 
GERMAN FLOWER SEEDS 
IN CHOICE ASSORTMENTS. 
The Seeds are warranted to he of first-rate quality. 
Chinese or German Aster. 
Culture.— -S ow in the middle of March or the beginning of April (according to the season) in cold frame, or 
in pans in the Greenhouse in a good rich compost : the seed should not be sown too thickly, as the plants require 
much space to make growth: keep the lights on until the seed germinates, and, if necessary, shade. As the plants 
increase in size, more air may bo given, until they become strong enough to bear the lights off altogether in the 
daytimo in favourable weather. Transplant when the plants are strong enough, say about the middle or end of 
May ; earth up round each plant from time to time, as the roots have a tendency to work their way out of tlio 
ground ; water frequently with liquid manure, care being taken not to have it too strong. 
Quilled Aster. 
These are very double, of oval form ; the petals have the appearance of quills or tubes ; the outer ring is some- 
times slightly reflexed, so as to form a sort of guard petal; height from 1£ to 2 feet; habit brandling, with a 
profusion of blossoms : useful for groups in Shrubberies, and for the borders in the Flower Garden. s y 
No. 1. 12 extra fine varieties Quilled German Aster, separate 3 6 
do. do. do. do smaller packets 1 G 
Globe-flowered Aster. 
Theso are mostly quilled, and resemble the above, excepting that the flowers arc larger and gradually raised 
towards the centre, so as to form a half-ball. This is the sort usually grown for Exhibition purposes where 
quilled Asters are required. 
No. 3. 12 splendid varieties new Globe German Aster , separate , 3 0 
^ do. do. smaller packets 1 G 
Pyramidal Aster. 
The beautiful large flowers appear on this Aster nearly of one height, with few side flowers ; has most probably 
received its name from its resemblance to an inverted pyramid; some blossoms are quilled; height from 2£ to 3 
No. 5. 12 very fine varieties Pyramidal German Aster , separate 3 0 
^ do. do. do smaller packets 1 G 
French Varieties of Aster. 
These are universal favourites, very useful as pot plants in Greenhouse or Conservatory, for bedding purposes, 
or for Exhibition : we annually receive letters from Correspondents in various parts of the country, stating that 
they have taken prizes with them at their respective local Floricultural Exhibitions. A very effective bed or riband 
may be formed by planting two or three rows of Gladiolus, “ French seedlings from gandavensis ” (seepage 52), 
m April, as a background or centre, as the case may be; next to which, several rows of transplanted plants of 
Preneh Asters, raised from seed of Nos. 7, 8, 9, or 10,; and for an edging, plants of the dwarf varieties Nos. 11 or 
1- : this will form a very lasting and showy bed for the Autumn. The same ground may be rendered gay in the 
Spring and Summer by making early sowings of such quick-growing Annuals as Nemophilas, Collinsias, Lep- 
tosiphons, &c. &c. ; if this plan be adopted, the Asters maybe left on the seed-bed and transplanted in July; 
care being taken to lift a ball of earth with each plant, and to water well when planted. Nos. 7, 8, 9 & 10 contain 
proportions of the following varieties, arranged in distinct colours : — Fleur Perfection. The blossoms of this 
kind are very large: petals verv long, and but slightly reflexed. Fleur JBombSe. The flowers of this variety arc 
^ cry large and full, and form almost a semi-ball. Fleur Chrysanthbmc. The flowers of this variety aye not so 
large as the preceding: the petals are entirely reflexed : produce more side blossoms than the other varieties. 
Incur 1 ivoine. The Pacony-flowercd Asters turn their petals towards the centre, and a flower not quite in full 
bloom resembles a ball. Fleur Imbmqute. The petals of these form themselves exactly like tiles, one on the top * 
ot the other to the centre of the flower. Nos. 11 and 12 contain proportions of the following varieties, arranged 
in distinct colours Chrysanthbme and Imhriqube ; the flowers arc similar to the preceding varieties, but the 
plants are only half the height. 
No. 7. 24 superb varieties French Aster , separate 10 0 
§• *rl j 0, d? m do smaller packets 5 0 
10. 12 do. do. do smaller packets 2 6 
ft. 8 do. dwarf do. do . 5 q 
12. 8 do. do. do. do smaller packets 2 6 
Bouquet Aster. 
This plant deserves its name, fbr each plant is so voluptuously covered with bloom that the green of its foliage 
mentaf in pots 0 ' a m0S ^ evcr ^ P^ ant * orms itself into a perfect bouquet : height from £ to l£ foot : highly orna- 
No. 13. 12 beautiful varieties new Bouquet Asters , separate 5 0 
14. 12 do. do. do. do 2 g 
Dwarf Aster. 
Theso are from 8 to 12 inches in height, very free -flowering, useful for edgings and pots. 
No. 15. 1G beautiful varieties new Dwarf Aster, separate 2 0 
a 2 
