66 
D. M. FERRY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
ASTER 
The Aster, in its many double varieties, is unsurpassed for bedding and cutting, and is not only one of the most profitable 
annuals for the professional florist but also one of the most satisfactory for the home garden. The great diversity of size, color, font 
and season of blooming makes it one of the most suitable plants for supplying cut flowers. Tne plants are usually of vigorous 
growth and so hardy that they endure a slight frost without serious injury. By planting the different strains and at different 
times, one may have in the latitude of Detroit a constant succession of bloom from the last of July till the middle of October 
without the aid of a greenhouse or even a hotbed. 
Seed may be sown outdoors as early in spring as the ground is warm and dry, or for earlier blooming may be started indoors 
or in a cold-frame and transplanted in the open ground after danger of killing frost is over. If conditions are favorable they will 
usually do well in any well prepared garden soil but a strong loam that has been well fertilized the previous year is preferable 
In planting cover the seed with about one-fourth inch of fine soil firmly pressed down. The rows for most of the varieties should 
be about one ami one-half feet apart. When about one to two inches nigh, thin to sixteen inches apart in the row. It is de¬ 
sirable during warm ami dry weather to water thoroughly the plants two or three times a week, preferably early in the morning 
or evening. It is desirable to change the location as often as practicable. 
Insects, such as the red spider, may be kept at bay by frequently spraving with clear water, or for insects that eat the 
foliage add one-fourth teaspoonful of Paris Green to ten gallons of water. Sprinkle with tobacco water or dust to keep off the 
plant louse. We offer choice seed that has been grown for us from the best types by the most skilful cultivators in America 
and Europe and which is more certain to give good results than most of that on the market. 
A f -l l\Ao**lr**f Very desirable on account of extreme earliness as well as profuse blooming and wide 
vueen OI ine lViarKei range of colors. The plants are of somewhat compact but branching habit, about sixteen 
to eighteen inches high, bearing on long stems from ten to fifteen finely formed double flowers of medium size. Fine for cutting 
and used extensively for growing under glass. This class is known also as Queen of the Earlies. 
White. Distinctly early, double, fine form. Oz. 80c- Pkt. 10c. Rose. A fine, very early red. Oz. 80c... .'. Pkt. 10c. 
Lavender. Light lavender-blue. Oz. 80c. “ 10c. Light Blue. A very pleasing shade. Oz. 80c. “ 10c. 
Deep Blue. An early and reliable deep blue aster. Oz. 80c. “ 10c 
Mixed. Many pleasing shades and colors including white, pink, rose, deep red, crimson, lavender, light blue and dark blue; 
early blooming and very floriferous. Oz. 75c . Pkt. 10c. 
An early strain supe- 
v lLiurid rior to the old type 
of Victoria. The flowers are large 
when grown under favorable con¬ 
ditions, sometimes three inches 
across and are very full in the 
center. The petals are broad and 
thick and curve outward, over¬ 
lapping so regularly as to resemble 
those of the double dahlia. The 
plants are about fifteen to eighteen 
inches high. 
Mixed. This includes white, light 
blue, peach blossom, violet, deep 
red. dark blue and crimson. 
l - .Pkt. 10c. 
L A very desirable, 
Llaybreak pink medium 
early variety. The plant is branch¬ 
ing but upright and compact in 
habit of growth. The flowers are 
borne on long stems, almost round, 
exceptionally well formed and very 
double with regularly incurved 
petals. The color is a delicate light 
pink. Height of plant fifteen t*> 
twenty inches. Oz. §1.50.. .Pkt. 10c. 
ry •_ Similar to Daybreak but 
i lirity pure white. The flowers 
are abundantly produced, symme¬ 
trical in form, very full anti globe 
shaped, with rather short petals 
which are slightly folded length¬ 
wise. One of the best earlv white 
asters and with Daybreak a leading 
representative of what is some¬ 
times called the Imperial class. An 
excellent variety for cutting. 
Oz. $1.60.Pkt. 10c. 
Comet, Semi - Dwarf 
This mid-season class of semi¬ 
dwarf Comet Asters is fully two 
weeks earlier in blooming than the 
older Comet strains and though 
more compact in growth of plant 
is very floriferous. Flowers often 
three inches or more in diameter 
with centers well covered and petals 
broad and recurved; very satisfac¬ 
tory for cutting. Plant branching 
but rather upright in habit, about 
eighteen inches liigh. 
White.Pkt. 10c. 
Light Rose. '* 10c. 
Light Blue. “ 10c. 
Lilac. “ 10c. 
Mixed. Includes the four 
above varieties mixed.. “ 10c. 
