324 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ October IS, 1892. 
graceful habit. And who can say too much in praise of many 
of thes9 plants ? They come to adorn our gardens with the most 
harmonious blendings of colour, when but for them the Sunflower 
and the Tritomas would make the garden brilliant but not 
beautiful. Many of them come into flower when there is but little 
else to brighten the garden late in October and November, and 
when but for them there would only be seen the ruins of the 
summer blossoms. Look, too, at the value of the flowers for 
cutting, many of them forming most graceful sprays of the highest 
degree of beauty, Then the hardiness of most of the varieties is 
unquestioned. The cultural care required is of the slightest, and 
apart from their beauty when in flower many of them are from an 
early period of growth of exquisitely graceful habit. With so 
many claims to our consideration it is evident that a great future 
is before the perennial Asters. 
It is unfortunate, however, that so much confusion has existed, 
still exists, and is still likely to exist, regarding the nomenclature 
of the species and varieties. This is, I believe, unavoidable from 
the difficulty of distinguishing properly between the various 
species. Some years ago I carefully studied Dr. Asa Gray’s 
monograph with a view to identifying some of the Asters in my 
garden. The task was an impossible one in many cases, so similar 
were many of the descriptions, and I understand this was the 
feeling of Dr. Gray himself. I can therefore fully appreciate 
the difficulty of the task before the Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, which has in hand the revision of the 
nomenclature of the genus, and I can only hope that their 
nomenclature may be adopted by the trade, that nurserymen in 
general may have the names of their plants verified, so that the 
purchaser may know that the name he has with his plant is one 
given by a good authority. As it is, some of us have been well 
nigh in despair, so difficult has it been to get plants true to name, 
or to give the true names to those received or picked up without a 
designation. It does seem a little strange, however, to find classed 
along with the varieties of novi-belgii—mostly of tall stature— 
such plants as A. novi-belgii Pleiad and A. n.-b. Pygmalion, each 
only growing about foot in height. I have not the slightest 
wish to doubt the correctness of the classification, I accept it 
unreservedly ; but it shows us how one’s preconceived views may 
be rudely shattered by a conference of experts. 
As already indicated little difficulty will be experienced in the 
cultivation of most of the Michaelmas Daisies. Almost any soil or 
any situation will suit the vast majority of the species or varieties, 
the exceptions being one or two species, such as A. diplostephioides. 
Nearly all will do as well on a light soil as on a strong, heavy one, 
provided that a sufficient supply of water can be given in dry 
weather. Should this not be available the plants frequently lose 
some of their lower leaves, and their beauty is consequently much 
impaired. Like the Chrysanthemum, their attractiveness is greatly 
enhanced when the foliage is in perfect condition, and on light 
soils every attention should be given in order that they do not 
suffer from drought. 
It is somewhat difficult in the present condition of the nomen¬ 
clature to give a selection of the best kinds. Indeed, when it is at 
all practicable, it would be well for the purchaser to see the plants 
in growth before making a choice. This is, however, seldom 
convenient, and the notes which follow are intended to indicate 
some of the best and most distinct of the forms. It must of course 
be understood that the heights given are only approximate ones, as 
the plants vary much according to the soil and supply of moisture, 
rhere are plants among the Asters suitable for almost any position, 
and even the rockery may be decorated with some of the less 
vigorous growing species. Well known among these is the dwarf 
but beautiful, little A. alpinus, flowering early in July, and bearing 
good-sized bright purple flowers on stems from 6 to 9 inches in 
height. The white variety i3 very pretty also, and the newer 
A. alpinus speciosus is exceedingly fine indeed with its large violet- 
blue flowers in July. Such species as A. Stracheyi, with pale blue 
flowers on stems 4 to 6 inches high, are also useful for this purpose ; 
while for rougher rockwcrk some of the dwarfer forms of the 
other species might almost be included. 
It is as border plants, however, that the Michaelmas Daisies are 
most valuable, and foremost among them is the useful and beauti¬ 
ful well known A. longifolius formosus. This is of graceful habit, 
and when in full bloom is literally covered with bright crimson 
flowers. There seems to be considerable variation among the 
plants supplied under this name, and an Aster I saw under the name 
of A. Madame Soymier appears to differ only in a slight degree 
from some of these. All are very beautiful, however, and growing 
only to about 2 feet in height they will be found very useful. 
Lxquisitely graceful, too, is A. ericoides, only just beginning to 
open here and in Edinburgh. This grows about 2^ or 3 feet in 
height, and has beautiful sprays of small white flowers. Another 
very beautiful Aster which i have had for over fifteen years is 
A. diffusus horizontalis, forming a beautiful bush composed of 
branching stems of deep green, almost purple, foliage, literally 
swarming with small white flowers with red centres. This generally 
flowers with me in November, and withstands the most severe frosts 
in this locality. 
Among the most beautiful species of tall habit is A. novce- 
anglise growing 5 feet or more in height, flowering with me well 
into October and having fine rose-coloured flowers. The variety 
A. n.-a. ruber i3, however, of finer colour than the type. The 
varieties of A. novi-belgii are now very numerous, and it is 
difficult to select the best. I find formosissimus, growing about 
4 feet high with rosy lilac flowers in October, to be one of the best 
of the tall varieties. A. n.-b. Robert Parker is also a good variety. 
Very beautiful and very distinct is A. pvrenseus, which, unlike 
most of the others which are generally natives of America or the 
Himalayas, is a native of the Pyrenees. This grows about 2 feet 
high and has fine violet flowers with slightly reflexed petals. Of 
specially fine colour, although with less perfectly formed flowers 
than some, is A. spectabilis, also growing about 2 feet high with 
flowers of exquisite blue-purple. Seldom seen is A. Thomsoni, grow¬ 
ing here about 3 feet high with fine flowers of what one might call a 
crimson blush. Of a somewhat similar colour, but whiter, and also 
of dwarfer habit, is A. salsuginosus growing about 18 inches in 
height. 
To speak of so many species and varieties in detail would 
occupy too much space, and most of the others can only be 
mentioned. I should not like, however, to omit drawing special 
attention to an allied plant which I have as Galatella linifolia, but 
which is, I understand, also known as Aster linarioides. This 
grows about 3 feet high and has narrow, pretty foliage and is com¬ 
pletely covered with flowers of a fine purple. It comes into flower 
in the end of J uly, and is not yet out of bloom although past its best. 
Yery desirable plants also are A. novae-angliae pulchellus, deep 
violet ; A. amellus, deep blue, 2£ feet ; A. speciosus superbus ; A. 
Isevis, deep blue, 5 feet ; and A. puniceus, blue, about 3 feet high 
aDd flowering in August. Those who admire the white-flowering 
sorts will find novi-belgii Harpur Crewe and n.-b. John Wood 
to be well worth growing. 
With a good selection of Asters and a number of the best of 
our autumn flowering plants a garden may be rendered interesting 
until near the close of the year, and it is to be hoped that many 
will embark in the cultivation of these fine flowers which seem to 
mock at the inclemency of wintry days and to brighten up the 
borders which without them would be dull and bare.—S. Arnott. 
DISCUSSION ON APPLES. 
Royal Jubilee. 
While the discussion is going on in the Journal on the merits 
and demerits of certain Apples I thought perhaps a note on 
Graham’s Royal Jubilee might be interesting to some of your 
readers. The tree of this variety which I possess was purchased 
two years ago from Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co. It is a small 
pyramid, and did not bear any fruit last year, but this season up 
till the first week in August it bore fifteen fine Apples, during 
which month, however, three dropped. I picked the remaining 
twelve last week and weighed them. Together they turned the 
scales at 7 lbs., the largest weighing 12£ ozs. Although carrying 
such a heavy crop the tree has made an average growth of 8 inches. 
I may say that the Apples have been admired by all who have seen 
them. I would advise fruit growers to give this variety a trial, 
and I do not think they will be disappointed. This is also the 
opinion of other practical men in this neighbourhood.—W. Pascoe, 
Sydney Lodge , Hamltle ; near Southampton. 
Hambledon Deux Ans. 
Unfortunately this has been the favourite Apple amongst the 
cottagers in this neighbourhood for many years to the exclusion of 
nearly all other sorts. The result is that nearly every garden in 
which an Apple tree is growing possesses one of this sort, which 
originated eight miles from here, and is sometimes called the Green 
Blenheim. Although this is a free bearer and a good keeping sort 
in most cases the quality is bad, even for cooking. There are 
exceptions, but that is owing mainly to the kind of soil in which 
the particular trees are growing. Hereabouts it is said there are 
two sorts. A person gathered thirty bushels of this sort last week, 
which realised an offer of 2s. per bushel, whereas if Ecklinville or 
Warner’s King had been in question these would have brought 
considerably more.—E. M., Swanmore, Hants. 
Mere de Manage. 
Although this Apple is generally looked upon as a shy bearer 
it is not so in all cases. I can testify to its regularity in producing 
