FINE ASTERS 
There is no question about a successfully grown crop 
of Asters being profitable anywhere. A welcome market 
is assured for them in advance. The problem is to grow 
them successfully. Also, there is no question about the 
rot-resistant strains going far to solve this problem. But 
these improved strains are not everywhere as successful 
as they are with the originator. The reason is quite clear. 
Examination of a lot of diseased plants will show various 
forms of trouble, some perhaps local. But it is encourag¬ 
ing to note the resistant varieties are successful most 
everywhere; and in our work of developing or strengthen¬ 
ing them, it is assuring, indeed, to note them standing up 
75 to 80 percent in soil so full of disease that non-resistant 
check plots are rotted out 100 percent before the summer 
is half over. This definitely answers the question: “Is 
there anything in rot-resistant Asters?” 
On the other hand, if your soil is quite clean or has 
never grown this crop, where summers are not excessively 
hot, such attractive non-resistant kinds as the California 
Giants are successfully grown. This is especially true if 
everything is done to avoid a check in their growth. 
IN GROWING ASTERS: The soil should be fall plow¬ 
ed. This not only leaves it in better shape for spring 
planting, but it discourages the harboring of ants that 
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carry aphis to the roots of Asters. This form of ant 
trouble is further prevented by thoroughly cleaning up 
all adjoining land to prevent the wintering of ants. Plow¬ 
ing or cultivating a 6- to 8-ft. strip around the Aster field 
further assures their not reaching them. Most important 
point in growing any plants is to avoid a check in their 
growth. With Asters this is clearly shown by sowing the 
seed where they are to flower, avoiding the check of trans¬ 
planting. Even non-resistant strains will stay up when so 
treated. But this method brings the crop in later and short 
stemmed. What we can do though is avoid having seed¬ 
lings large when transplanted by not sowing too early, and 
prevent wilting in transplanting by following closely with 
water; if possible, choose a cloudy day. When success¬ 
fully grown under glass, we find they pay out well. Also, 
we find they do better on a raised bed, for the reason, 
we believe, that a deep ground bed of rich soil produces 
a very soft growth that is more easily attacked by rot 
than on a better ventilated raised bed, in which the growth 
also becomes harder. 
IN MOST SECTIONS FINER ASTERS ARE GROWN 
IN CLOTH HOUSES. Our space will not permit going 
into their construction, cost, and maintenance. This and 
further growing notes on Asters are fully covered in our 
BALL RED BOOK. Price, 20 cents. 
