56 
JOUEXAL OF THE EOYAL HOETlCtfLTtJEAL SOCIETY, 
IX. Bepoet on Asters Grown for Trial at the Society’s Gardens, 
Chiswick, 1877. By A. F. Baebox. 
Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a proper supply of 
seeds of many varieties, owing to a general failure of the crop of 
the previous season, so that the trial may not have been quite 
so satisfactory and complete as in any other season it might have 
been. All the varieties were sown in pots and planted out; the 
season being moist was propitious for their growth, and the 
flowers produced were in most instances of large size and fine 
quality. 
The object aimed at in the report is to point out the characters 
of the various classes of Asters as now grown, whereby they may be 
distinguished from each other. To particularise each colour sepa¬ 
rately would extend the report to undue length and for little 
practical purpose, so a few only of the more prominent colours are 
specified. It may be noted that the tendency in most cases to 
multiply shades of colour seemed to promote a general inferiority ; 
where a few bright colours only are selected and grown, the 
result is infinitely more pleasing and effective. 
A. 1, C HEYSAXTHEMUII AsTEES. 
These are so named from having the flowers resembling those 
of the ordinary Chrysanthemum. The flowers are mostly large, 
often exceeding four inches in breadth. The petals broad, 
generally lying fiat, but in the best flowers they are frequently 
recurved so as to raise the centre of the flowers. The plants are 
of compact growth, 9 to 12 inches high, slightly branching, 
the flowers borne erect on strong stalks. 
This section is, perhaps, the most effective for bedding or 
general purposes. 
1. Dwarf Chrysanthemum (Wheeler & Son). Comprising 12 
colours, an especially good selection, particularly the dark blue 
and white. Average height 10 inches. 
2. Heine Marguerite pyramidale (Yilmorin). Comprising 10 
colours. Height 10 to 12 inches, an inferior and irregular 
stock. 
3. Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered (Yilmorin). Flesh colour. 
Yery poor. 
4. Dwarf Chrysanthemum (Dippe Bros.). Fiery scarlet and 
