the stalk. Begin feeding when buds form, about the middle of August. 
Never leave more than two buds on one branch. (Bon Arbor has been 
found to be a good food.) Keep ground well cultivated, particularly 
after watering. 
Esters Sown in tbe ©pen 
For many years I have made it a practice to sow Asters in the open 
ground at the latter end of April or the first week in May, although 
owing to insufficiency of space, I have not been able to allow all to 
stand where sown. There is no questioning the fact that Asters never 
do so well as when grown without a check ; and in transplanting at a late 
stage the plants certainly get a severe check, especially if dry weather 
follows planting. The practice of sowing in the open is the recognized 
system in the United States of America; and nowhere in the world are 
Asters grown on so gigantic a scale and in such phenomenally good 
form as in America. Fully ten years ago I was in the habit of sowing 
my seed in the open, and it is astonishing to me why so many are ad- 
dicted to sow Asters under glass in heat. I do not agree with the policy 
of non-thinning. If one handled such varieties of Asters as Peerless 
Pink, Violet King and the various late branching forms, and desired to 
see them run to their 2^ feet to 3 feet limit, with flowers up to 7 inches, 
one would find it necessary to give a full foot of space. Regarding the 
immunity from disease of open-air sown plants, this is largely, if not 
entirely, due to the fact that the seedlings do not get leggy in their early 
stage. By avoiding transplanting one entirely guards against the possi- 
bility of the plants being set too deeply. On no account must any 
foliage be allowed to touch the soil. The lower leaves, if not clear of 
the ground, should be removed, otherwise these commence to decay and 
stem-rot follows. Plenty of lime in the ground is essential. — T. W. 
Kent, in The Garden. 
aster Disease 
I notice a very interesting article on this subject in The Garden 
of March 21st issue, but, while admitting that the course advised there 
may be a feasible one under certain circumstances, I cannot say that 
gardeners will derive much benefit or consolation from it. I have car- 
ried out some experiments in connection with this tantalizing and dis- 
astrous disease, and I find that a 2 per cent, to 3 per cent, solution of 
formalin invariably secures immunity. The method of using this liquid 
is very simple; the soil of the border is ridged up, then sprayed liberally 
with the liquid, and the ridges are leveled down roughly so that the fumes 
may be conserved. The border, however, must be vacant for at least 
three weeks before plants are placed in the soil, and, if possible, this 
period should be increased for a week or two. We have used the same 
