SINCE 1890 / THREE GENERATIONS OF RODGER SERVICE 
PERENNIAL ASTERS 
1240 Amellus Hybrids (Italian Asters) early.. 
124 2 Michaelmas Daisy, newest varieties mixed. 
1244 Subcoeruleus Florist’s Delight, / large lavender 
blue, yellow disc.. 
12 46 Subcoeruleus Wartburg Star, / flowers extra 
large, lavender blue, stems 2'..... 
Per oz. 
2.00 
Per 34 lb- 
Per lb. 
1.00 
3.60 
12.00 
7.50 
5.00 
ASTER WILT 
We have had so many inquiries as to just what wilt resistance in Asters really 
is that we feel a few notes on the subject are in order at this time. 
The so-called wilt disease of Asters is caused by a specific parasitic fungus, which 
may attack the plant at any stage in its growth from the seedling to the seed- 
producing age. The spores of the fungus may be carried on Aster seed and on 
inert matter with the seed, on the implements used in preparing the soil, and in 
the soil itself. When once introduced into the soil, it persists indefinitely and 
makes the land “aster sick,” that is, whenever an ordinary strain of Asters is 
planted into that particular soil at any time thereafter, the wilt fungus living in 
it will attack the plants and they will die off at some stage of their growth. 
A wilt resistant strain of Asters, however, is one which, although planted on the 
very sickest soil available, will withstand the attacks of the fungus and develop 
into strong, healthy plants. Just as some people or animals withstand the attacks 
of certain diseases, while others become sick at the first sign of an epidemic, so the 
resistant strains of Asters will withstand the attack of the wilt fungus, while the 
non-resistant strains will succumb. 
It is not known just what the difference in composition is in the resistant strain 
—whether it be a different physiochemical set-up, an increased acidity of the cell 
sap, the presence of toxic substances in the pigment compounds, or what it may be. 
The fact remains, though, that the factor of resistance to the fungus is present. 
We wish to call your attention to the fact that these Asters should be sold as wilt 
resistant, and not as disease resistant. There seems to be an erroneous impression 
prevalent that the resistance refers to Aster Yellows and other Aster diseases, 
besides the fusarium wilt. Unfortunately, this is not the case. So far there is no 
known method of combating the Yellows disease, except by growing the plants in 
an enclosed space, thereby keeping the leaf hoppers which carry the yellows virus 
from reaching the plants. 
SYMBOLS USED: 
a—annual 
b—biennial 
c—climber 
f—cut flower variety, special for florists 
gr—greenhouse plant 
p—perennial 
ra—rock plant annual 
rp—rock plant perennial 
48 
