lant or tuber.

This curious species should, as above indicated, have a warm situation,
where it will also be comparatively dry in winter. Its propagation may
be effected by division of the roots of strong specimens.

Flowering period, June and July.

Asters.

MICHAELMAS DAISIES, _or_ STARWORTS; _Nat. Ord._
COMPOSITAE.

Hardy, perennial, and herbaceous. These are a numerous family, and many
of them have an ungainly habit and insignificant flowers--in fact, are
not worth growing, save as wild flowers in unfrequented places. I will
mention a few of the finer sorts, which are mostly species: _A.
diversifolius_, _A. ericoides_, _A. grandiflorus_, _A. pendulus_, and
_A. Dumosus_, these are all good, both in habit and flowers; _ericoides_
and _pendulus_ make really handsome bushes, but the very beautiful _A.
amellus_, and its more dwarf variety (_A. Mdme. Soyance_), have tempted
me to write of these old-fashioned plants, which may be said to be
wholly distinct, as their flowers are so very much brighter (dark
purple, with a clear yellow centre), and the rays so much more evenly
and compactly furnished. Their stems are 2ft. to 3ft. high, and flowered
half their length with clusters of bloom about the size and form of
full-grown field daisies. These wand-like spikes in a cut state are
bright and appropriate decorations. In vases they are very effective,
even when used alone. The flowers are very lasting, either cut or
otherwise; the plants will bloom six or eight weeks.

These subjects will thrive in almost any kind of soil or position,
opening their flowers during the dullest weather, and though they like
sunshine, they will not wait for it. It is scarcely needful to further
describe these well-known flowers, but, as well as the species, there
are some bright and beautiful varieties which merit further notice. All
the Starworts are easily increased by root division any time.

Flowering period, August to November.

Aster Alpinus.

ALPINE STARWORT, _or_ BLUE DAISY; _Nat. Ord._
COMPOSITAE.

An exceedingly beautiful and very much admired alpine plant, which does
not die down like most of the Starworts, but has woody stems; it is
seldom seen more than a foot high, and its large bright purple flowers
seem disproportionate. This is one of the plants which should have a
place in every garden, and more especially in rock gardens. There cannot
well be a more neat and telling subject; the form and size of its