For General List of Flower Seeds see pages 63 to 93 
- 1898 
BRECK’S SPECIALTIES AND NOVELTIES 
. . IN . . 
FLOWER SEEDS, BULBS AND PLANTS. 
Semple’s Giant Aster 
ASTERS. The Aster Seeds we offer are in every case the 
very best of the several classes , all having been grown 
especially for us by the most skilled and successful culti¬ 
vators of the different kinds in America , England, France 
and Germany ; many of the strains , which are superior to 
all others, we control exclusively. Our Aster Seed is popu¬ 
lar with the leading Florists and private grenvers through¬ 
out the Union , and we recommend it in the full 
assurance that it will satisfy and delight all who plant it. 
For complete list of varieties see pages 66-6<). 
Cultivation. — Those who wish Asters in flower through¬ 
out the season should make the first sowing about the 
middle of February and every two weeks thereafter until 
the middle of June. Sow in fine soil, and cover lightly in 
shallow boxes which should be set in the greenhouse or a 
sunny window. Keep moderately moist until the plants 
are well up, then transplant, either into other shallow 
boxes three inches apart, or into small pots. When the 
weather is settled and fairly warm set the plants out in 
the open ground, one foot apart each way, where they are 
intended to flower, and keep watered until they are estab¬ 
lished. Keep the soil open by frequent hoeings, and 
when the plants are two-thirds grown mulch with well 
rotted manure. A loose, but strong loam is best suited 
for asters. 
— Semple’s Giant. These are ot branching habit, tall grow¬ 
ing, late flowering, and very desirable. Florists grow 
them largely for market because of their immense size, 
fine form, and delicate colors. 
—Pure White, Shell Pink, Lavender, Purple. Separate colors 
or mixed. Pkt., io cts., oz. $2.00. 
— Golden King. Our illustration of this new variety shows the 
habit of the plant and form of flower. It is an English intro¬ 
duction and of a much deeper yellow than any hitherto 
offered. Pkt., 10 cts. 
—White Triumph. A new white flowered variety of this splendid 
class of dwarf asters. The flowers are large and beautifully 
incurved, very suitable for beds. Pkt., 20 cts. 
— Princess. This is the favorite “Snowball” type. Last year 
we offered it in one color only — Rose — it gave great satis¬ 
faction. This season we have two new desirable colors. 
Dark Blue, Dark Crimson. Separate colors or mixed, pkt., 
15 cts. Rose, pkt., 10 cts. 
— Lady. We are glad to offer two new colors in this favorite, fit 
companions to the Lady in White, listed on page 67. White- 
tinted Rose, Pink. Separate colors or mixed. Pkt., 20 cts. 
^—Ostrich Feather. This magnificent new aster resembles more 
closely the Japanese Chrysanthemums than any yet intro¬ 
duced. The flowers are of immense size, six inches in diameter, 
pure white and very freely produced. The plants are very 
branching in habit. Especially desirable for cutting. Pkt., 
10 cts. 
— Mignon. The value of this class is enhanced by two new 
colors, namely: — 
- Scarlet, very double and of perfect form. Pkt., 1 5 cts. 
- Rosa Alba, rose with an under glaze of white. Pkt., 10 cts. Other colors of Mignon are listed on page 67. 
—Ray Aster. The first of a new class. The Gardener's Chronicle says: “They are pretty and distinct, resembling 
some of the straight-rayed Japanese Chrysanthemums.” The colors are white and bright rose, separate or 
mixed. Pkt., 15 cts. 
Golden King Aster 
See Special Offers on third page of cover. 
