34 
JAMES VICK’S SONS, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
^STERS. 
The Chrysanthemum is considered the queen of the fall flowers, and 
there are many cultivators of taste who think the Aster should rank as 
high among the flowers of late summer. There is a great similarity in 
the flowers, but the Asters are more easily raised and bloom in greater 
prolusion, if possible. Probably no plant among.all the Annuals has had 
more care bestowed on it by professional florists than the Aster, and it 
has responded by breaking into numerous classes and varieties, all of 
which are handsome and worthy of cultivation. A plant to produce 
line flowers needs to be strong and vigorous, and requires to be grown 
without check from the start. Too often Asters are seen in gardens 
closely together, thus preventing a full development. 
Seeds should be sown early in the spring under glass or in a seed bed 
in the open border. We prefer to sow in a cold frame, and after the 
plants are an inch high to transplant them in the frame, and afterwards 
in the open ground where they arc to remain. In this way, strong, 
healthy plants with plentj' of roots can be obtained, and if set in rich 
soil in the garden, will make a most satisfactory growth. A well grown 
plant will give line flowers, and a stunted one only inferior blooms. 
The large growing varieties of Asters, such as the Pmony-fiowercd, the 
Victoria, New Rose and Washington, need to be set as much as a loot 
apart in good soil, and will quite fill the space, The soil about the plants 
should be stirred frequently during the summer and a vigorous growth 
encouraged. As the plants when in bloom are heavy at the top, and 
therefore liable to be injured by rains or strong winds, they should have 
some support, as may be given by tying the branches to a small stake set 
in the ground. The dwarf varieties make beautiful border plants. 
Aster, Washington, the largest Aster we have ever known, 
and we have exhibited them five inches in diameter and perfect, 
plants tall, mixed colors. 25 
Truffaut’s Paeony-flowered Perfection, large, beau¬ 
tiful flowers, petals long; a little reflexed; 2 feet in height; mixed 
colors. 10 
T ruffa ut’s Paeony-flowered Perfection, sa me as above, 
in twelve to twenty distinct colors, among which are white, rose, 
carmine, crimson, brilliant crimson, dark crimson, blood red, vic¬ 
toria red, light blue,violet, dark scarlet and white, rose and white, 
carmine and white, crimson and white, red and white, blue and 
white, and other combinations; each color. 10 
Aster, Coca rdeau, or /N ew Crown, two-colored flowers, the 
central petals pure white, sometimes small and quilled, surround¬ 
ed with large, flat petals of a bright color; 18 inches; mixed colors 10 
Coca rdeau, or /'Jew Crown, carmine, violet, blue, deep 
scarlet, violet brown, etc., each with white center; each variety.. 10 
Imbrique Pompon, very perfect; almost a globe and beauti¬ 
fully imbricated; mixed colors . . 10 
Diamond, isfl comparatively new Aster of the Imbrique class. 
Plant 18 inches in height, very robust, blooms freety, flowers per¬ 
fect and compact; mixed colors .- 15 
Hedge-Hog, or /Needle, petals long, quilled, and sharply 
pointed; two feet; mixed colors . 15 
/N e w V i cto r ia, flowers large; habit pyramidal; 2 feet high; one 
of the finest; mixed colors . 15 
/N ew Victoria, White, one of the finest white varieties; flow¬ 
ers large, perfect in form, and of the purest white . 15 
/New "Rose, 2 feet in height; robust; large flowers, petals finely 
imbricated and of great substance; one of the very best, mixed 
colors . 10 
/N ew pose, twelve separate colei's —white, crimson, violet, etc., 
each color . 10 
/New Paeony-flowered Globe, two weeks earlier than Truf¬ 
faut’s Pieony-flowered, flowers very large; plant branching and 
strong; does not require support. 10 
Dwarf Victoria, the finest class of Ilaltx Dwarf Asters; for 
size, range of color, and profusion of bloom, it is unsurpassed; 
mixed colors . 15 
•Half "Dwa rf m u Itiflora ma u ve, one of the best, about 15 
inches in height, of fine form; flowers perfect and abundant, deli¬ 
cate white and mauve . 15 
/New 0 h rysa nthem u m-flowered Dwarf, a desirable 
class, 1 foot in height; late, and valuable on this account, as well 
as for its great beauty; mixed colors.. . 10 
0hrysa nthem u m-flowered Dwa rf, White, a superb 
variety ; every flower usually perfect . 10 
/N ewest *D wa rf Bouquet, each plant looks like a bouquet of 
flowers; fine for edging or small beds; about twelve different 
colors mixed. 10 
“ Those few pale Autumn flowers. 
How beautiful then are! 
Than all that went before , 
Than all the Summer store. 
How lovelier far! ’’—Caroline Southey. 
