The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-04

outdoors with the late branching va
rieties the little plants often set
flower buds while still In the seed bed.
From seed started in cold frames
April to II plants set out in the
field May "a were in full bloom
July Is. When the early varieties are
to be grown for the largest profit IL IL
house as early as the middle of Feb
ruary. They can then be planted out
to make their field growth during the
cool weather OF spring and the early
warm weather Of summer will bring
them into bloom
AS the growing season of early asters
is short. n rich soil is more important
than for the later varieties. For any
kind OF an early crop II is desirable
To have a heavy dressing of manure
applied the previous season and this
Is especially true with asters. II APP
piled the same season II should be we'll
rotted so as TO be Immediately avail.
able.
Planting the Seed.
When the seed is TO be started in a
greer. house It should be planted in shall
/ low boxes, three to four inches deep
I Of uniform size. Bore holes in the Cor-
ners and give good drainage before
| filling. The soil need not he more than
! ga or 3 inches deep, and not very rich,
| but II is we'll to add onc-quarter fine
well rotted manure and enough sand
to prevent the soil from becoming hard
! In filling the boxes firm the corners
we'll or after a few waterings the cor
ners will be low and it will be hard 10
keep the soil uniformly watered.
FIJI the box one-half to tWo-thrds
full, water thoroughly and finish filing
| with soil lust moist enough To handle
! nicely. The wet soil in the bottom
will furnish enough moisture so the
boxes will not have TO be sprinkled
until after tho seed Is up, \ paper
| laid over the box will check evapora
ton, but It should be removed as soon
as the first little seedlings begin to
show.
Sow the seeds in rows about two
| inches apart, cover with fine sand and
press firmly.
When watering is necessary water
thoroughly and evenly and do not
water again until the surface Is dry
| Do not water late In the day, as II
| leaves the surface wet and gives fungus
growths a chance to start. Avoid fire.
quent spr!nkling. Frequent wnterinr
will cause the plants TO damp of and
tends to form n crust on the surface
and thus exclude the air. Seeds start
better in a porous soil that does not
require watering until after they have
all sprouted. Sowing in rows and mark.
Ing the rows on the ends OF the box
allows tho soil TO be stirred close &c
the rows, aiding In tho termination OF
the seed and later in ,he growth OF the
young plants.
TrnnsDlantinR.
When the seedlings have made two
or more true leaves prick the plants
| of into other boxes. Tho soil In the
plant box should be az moist as may
be without sticking, so It will not neei
sprinkling for the first day or two after
disappointing. Plants root better tr
soil that Is moist rather than In we
soil. Keep the seed boxes Of plant.
rather dry for day or two before
pricking out. as the plants will take
hold better when changed to the mos
soil. When transplanting use layer
Of rich soil in the bottom of the boxe.
with an inch of clear sand on top I,
prevent stem rot or other fungus dis
eases. The plants should be set M
inch apart In the rows and two ant
one-half inches between the rows. q
the soil may he stirred frequently Il