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"FLOWER SEEDS FOR FLORISTS 
FINE ASTERS 
Why can we some seasons produce a per¬ 
fect crop of Asters and occasionally fail com¬ 
pletely? Puzzling to most of us is the belief 
that growing conditions were the same, which, 
of course, cannot be so. There is a definite 
reason for an outstanding success or failure. 
The rot-resistant strains take a long stride in 
overcoming failure by being able to definitely 
resist stem rot—the principal form of Aster 
trouble. Of course only such resistant strains 
should be used, no longer any uncertainty on 
this point; but there are various forms of rust 
and scald or forms of rot that, under some conditions, become disastrous—a crippling 
or partial development of buds sometimes causes loss. There is strong evidence, indicat¬ 
ing that an excess of nitrogenous fertilizers is responsible for this partial or restricted 
development. Accordingly we recommend that phosphate be the favored fertilizer. 
Long experience in growing Asters convinces us that much can be done in overcoming 
most forms of disease by avoiding, especially in the early stages, any form of check to 
growth. Transplanting from greenhouse to field and permitting them to wilt badly is a 
greater harm than most of us realize, not only to Asters, but other plants as well. We 
have repeatedly sown seed direct in flowering beds with perfect results as to growth 
Also, how disconcerting to see amateur gardeners scatter seed in a flower bed and be 
rewarded with a wealth of flow¬ 
ers while our early-started 
transplanted stock so frequent¬ 
ly fails, but this sowing direct 
method doesn't permit enough 
time to produce fine Asters. 
All classes tend to flower when 
their season for doing so ar¬ 
rives regardless of growth 
made, so the early start is nec¬ 
essary to get strong stems and 
flowers, therefore we must 
overcome the check of trans¬ 
planting, as far as possible, by 
not sowing too early. Our rule 
is to sow a month before we 
can safely transplant, and in 
transplanting, follow closely 
with water. 
A check lot of ordinary strains of Asters in the foreground with rot-resistant 
in the background. 
We annually devote this 3^-acre cloth house to the breeding of rot-resistant 
strains, also to the strengthening of such strains. This same location or soil 
has been used for this purpose for six consecutive years, and is, of course, 
filled with rot. What becomes of non-resistant checks is well shown in the 
foreground—some difference in strains, isn't it? 
Our further suggestions for 
growing Asters, also details 
for the construction of cloth 
houses that greatly improve 
our construction ideas of for¬ 
mer years, will be found in our 
new Aster Bulletin No. 7. A 
copy will be enclosed with ev¬ 
ery Aster seed order and is 
gratis to any application for it. 
Usually the more stock grown, the lower are average returns. Dont overdo. 
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