MICHAELMAS DAISIES. 
41 
ordinary garden soil, that they can scarcely be said to 
require cultivation. They vary in height from 1 to 6 
feet, and spread with such great rapidity by means of 
root-suckers, that almost every year it becomes neces- 
sary either to re-arrange the plants, or to reduce the 
rooting area of individuals. The taller growing sorts 
require tying to a stout stake or two to prevent them 
from being blown down by the wind. In the late 
autumn or winter, the dead stems should be cut down 
to the ground, as they often present a most untidy 
aspect. Asters are easily increased by dividing the 
rootstocks in spring, and also by inserting plump 
cuttings from the shoots in sandy soil in a cold frame. 
Although the individual flower-heads of most 
kinds are not very large, they are nevertheless pro- 
duced in such profusion that the plants are literally 
covered with blossom. For cutting purposes there 
are not many plants to excel or equal the Michaelmas 
Daisies. The blossoms of some varieties last much 
longer than others, but the best results are secured by 
cutting the sprays early in the morning, rather than 
at mid-day. As space will not permit of detailed 
descriptions, the following select list of the best 
kinds arranged according to the colour may be useful. 
The height is given in feet in brackets. 
White-flowered kinds . — Acuminatus ( 2 ), corymbo- 
sus (2), diffusus (2), dumosus (3), ericoides (3), 
graminifolius (4), longifolius (3), macrophyllus (2), 
multiflorus (3), ptarmicoides (2), Sturi (g), Tradescanti 
(3), umbellatus (5-6), undulatus (3), vimineus (2-g). 
Blue-flowered kinds. — Acris (2), cordifulius (2), 
linarifolius (2) (Plate 33, fig. 88), Kovi-Belgi (3-6), 
