444 
THE GARDENING WORL*D 
March 10,*190C. 
Horse Chestnut What object is more beautiful 
than a little plant of this sort from ii to 2 ft. in 
height in full foliage indoors when the rude winds of 
March are still raging outside. It is not only when 
the large palmate leaves are fully developed that the 
little plant is worth possessing, but from the time 
that the great, waxy buds begin to swell, gradually 
casting their winter suit, until the perfect leaf stands 
fully furnished, a process of absorbing interest is re¬ 
vealed. In this humble plant the grower enj nys a 
miniature spring and summer in aivance, and even 
those with predilections for *' Autumn sae pensive” 
can behold this season typified and anticipated in the 
sere and yellow leaf preceding final collapse. To 
attain this object it is only necessary to procure 
seedlings of a suitable size for 6-in. pots in the 
autumn, and store away in any odd corner, bringing 
them into an ordinary sitting-room in relays early in 
the year. A growth of Lycopodium on the surface 
hides the rims, and makes the adornment complete, 
when the pot is placed in a vase.— J. McAra, Kings- 
burgh, Prestonkirk, N.B., March 5^/1,1900. 
HELIANTHUS CUCUMERIFOLIUS 
GRANDIFLORUS GIANT STAR. 
Though single blooms of the above are only shown 
in the accompanying illustration they probably serve 
abetter purpose in showing the truest character of 
the individual blooms than the depicting 0' a plant 
or truss would have been. So well known is 
Copyright S . & S . 
Aster, Sutton’s Ostrich Plume. 
HELIANTHUS CUCUMERIFOLIUS GRANDIFLORUS GlANT STAR. 
- V- 
Helianthus cucumerifolius that only the points of 
deviation from it as the type need be recorded. In 
the case of the Giant Star, greater elegance in form, 
the improved shape and appearance of the blooms 
and greater distinctiveness of colouring are the chief 
features of merit. The disc is intensely black, 
while the revolute ray petals are brilliant yellow, a 
contrast as unique and beautiful as anyone could 
desire. Add to this the hardy nature of the annual, 
its simple needs and the usefulness of the plants 
themselves for border or front shrubbery furnishing 
or for providing long-stalked blooms for floral 
decorations, and we have a subject of undoubted 
value for general use and beauty. The flowers are 
borne well above the foliage, their season extending 
from early summer to late autumn. 
—•»»- 
ASTER SUTTON’S OSTRICH PLUME. 
The ultimate tendency of the florist's aim and pur¬ 
pose for many years past has been to make the 
flowers or flower heads as neat and round as if they 
had been outlined by the compass. Sooner or later 
a desire arises amongst the lovers of flowers for their 
own sake, that is, amongst the British public, for a 
return to the more graceful, free and easy outline of 
the natural simplicity of primitive fl owers. This is 
seen in the reception given to single and even semi¬ 
double flowers, which many florists would regard as 
a retrogression from the paragon up to which they 
have been, all their life long, modelling their 
favourites. From their point of view the China 
Aster has been brought to great perfection ; and, to 
do them justice, there is room in the garden, and a 
use for the flower they have, by long continued 
exertion, been able to evolve. All the same, the use 
of simple flowers for decorative purposes in the cut 
state, and in various other ways, has much to re¬ 
commend it to the general public. In this instance 
we put forward the claims of a new China Aster, 
Sutton’s Oitrich Plume, bearing single and ssmi- 
double flowers, the long and loosely arranged rays of 
which recall the free and easy grace of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, which would be described as Japanese if the 
centre were more filled np. If given plenty of room 
when planted out, this type makes a plant of spread¬ 
ing, bushy habit. The illustration which Messrs, 
Sutton & Sons place at our disposal makes further 
description unnecessary, the habit of the novelty 
being as clearly defined. 
PROFITABLE YEARLING STRAW¬ 
BERRIES. 
Instead of one or two trusses of fruit one usually 
sees to above, especially in small gardens, from one 
to two lbs. per plant may be obtained by laying 
runners in pots and planting out in July as follows: — 
In June, when the young plants show signs of roots, 
they must be taken in hand. Select the best runners 
from two rows of your bed, turning them between 
the same, so that you have a clear space between 
every two rows for gathering remaining fruit, water¬ 
ing, etc. Upheap 60 sized pots with soil; the old 
pottiDg refuse riddled is suitable. Take these to the 
bed in a box that will stand between the rows, place 
the young plant on soil, in pot, press all down, 
putting a stone on the top to keep runner in its place, 
and water through a coarse rose. When the pots 
are full of roots they may be cut away, placed in a 
