42 
JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, FLORAL PARK, N. Y. 
jagte OPYRIGHl 189 3 
Cr BYJ.L. CHILDS -^ 3 
Asters. 
The acknowledged queen of autumn annuals. Indis¬ 
pensable for the flower garden, fine as a show plant for fairs 
and exhibitions, and charming pot plants. Very profuse 
bloomers, with exceedingly beautiful flowers of most ex¬ 
quisite colors and almost perfect form. There are several 
forms of Asters, some being imbricated like the Rose, some 
loose and globular like a Pseony, while others are partly 
incurved like the Chrysanthemum. In regal’d to height 
they are classified as tall, half-dwarf and dwarfs. The tall 
varieties are fine for the center of large beds and for cutting, 
as their flowers are borne on long stems ; the dwarfs are 
particularly fine for borders or masses of one color, as they 
are so compact and bloom so profusely as to seem like so 
many bouquets set in the ground ; the semi-dwarf are good 
for all purposes, and extra fine for pot culture. 
It is a good plan to make two or more successive sowings, 
two weeks apart, to prolong the season of bloom ; seeds can 
be sown in hot-bed or house and afterwards transplanted, 
or they can be sown in open ground. In hot, dry weather, 
mulch liberally with old manure or coarse litter, and do not 
let them suffer for water. Our list of varieties is a fine one. 
There is not a poor sort among them all. Per pkt. 
Giant-Branching Comet— A superb new Aster, growing 
18 inches high, with enormous flowers borne on long, 
graceful stems. The plant branches freely, carrying 
from 20 to 40 of its magnificent flowers. Each flower 
is as double and perfect as a Pmony, 5 to 6 inches in 
diameter, with center filled with a charming whirl 
of petals, after the true comet style. All colors mixed. . 15 
Giant-Branching Comet, Carm ine—Pine bright color. . .10 
“ Carmine, Striped White io 
‘ “ 41 White, Striped Pink . io 
.. 44 Rose Pmk— A lovely color _ 10 
, Pure White — A real giant in 
size and magnificence. Stems, 12 to 15 inches long . 10 
One pht. each of above 6 for 50c. 
Giant Branching Upright, White -A grand white, 
branching Aster with enormous double upright blos¬ 
soms on upright stems. ... io 
Giant Comet— The plants are tall and of much vigor, 
while the flowers are of-such extraordinary size that 
they may without contest be said to be the largest of 
any in existence. Flowers are formed of large twisted 
and curled petals, and look exactly like the most re¬ 
fined forms of Japanese Chrysanthemum. Thev must 
therefore take first place among Asters of unique beau¬ 
ty. Many colors mixed . 10 
Giant Comet, White — Immense size, snow white . 15 
Giant Comet, Sulphur Yellow— Superb novelty . 15 
Semple’s Marvel— A new American Aster of wonderful 
beauty and profusion. Plants grow 20 inches high, 
branch freely in an upright manner, producing a great 
number of magnificent blossoms on long stems. The 
flowers are very double and perfect, and possess the 
richest colors. They bloom a little later than most 
kinds and escape the ravages of the Aster beetle. One 
of the great good things of recent introduction. Mixed, 
all colors . 10 
Semple’s Marvel, Crimson .10 
14 44 Lavender . 10 
“ 44 Pink— Very delicate .J® 
44 44 Purple— Rich .1° 
44 44 Pure White .10 
The six sorts for 50c. ., -I 
Ciant Silver-Tipped— These giant-flowered Asters are 
very fine, being of dwarf growth, and the blossoms, 
which are of the largest size, formed of wide, regularly 
shaped petals, each tipped with silvery white, no mat¬ 
ter what the principal color of the blossom may be. 
They were first introduced last year, and have proved.^ 
to be very fine novelties. Mixed colors . ; — •- 1W 
Giant Emperor — Tall grower and robust habit. Facn 
stalk usually bears one very double flower of mammoth 
size. Showy. Mixed colors . 1 • . 5 
Harlequin— One of the most curiously marked flowers 
grown. Lovely pure white petals, irregularly inter¬ 
spersed with deep blue or bright red petals, making 
bright splashes and stripes of color over the snowy- 
groundwork. Mixed colors. Medium height... 1U 
Quilled German— Plants tall and branching, flowers 
beautifully quilled, and noted for the clearness of then 
colors. Profuse bloomers. Mixed colors. 
Snowball— A dwarf pure white variety with enormous 
flowers, beautifully imbricated like an incurved 
Chrysanthemum. An exquisite variety ..— 
Japanese— New Asters of great size and beauty, hire 
Japanese Chrysanthemums. They are of immense 
size, measuring from five to six inches across, witn 
long petals curiously waved and curled, so as to give 
them a striking resemblance to the Chrysanthemum. 
It is a vigorous growing plant, fourteen or nrteeu 
inches high, well branched, and producing quite a 
number of these enormous flowers ...'i 1 
Washington— Fine exhibition sort. A tall grower or 
pyramidal habit. The largest-flowered Aster on tne 
list ; fine form and splendid colors. Mixed colors. ■ - AU 
Daybreak— A sport from the celebrated Branching Aster, 
bearing immense Paeony-like double blossoms or tne 
loveliest sea-shell pink color. No other Aster produces 
such large and beautiful blossoms in such reckless pro^ 
fusion, and their lasting qualities are such that wnen 
cut and placed in water they will keep two weeks....• 
