trich Plume Asters, a name which exactly
describes them. About 15 inches tall. The curled flowers are of enormous
size, 5 to 6 inches across. About 10 colors, some of them most unusual
ones.

GIANT SILVER-TIPPED. These are of dwarf habit, but have blossoms of the
largest size. These beautiful flowers, whatever their color, are tipped
silvery white. An exceptional good pot variety.

SEMPLE'S MARVEL. This is another favorite with professional growers.
They are 20 inches to 2 feet tall, and of branching habit. This is
rather a late Aster. The flowers are of much substance, and are perfect
in form and rich in color.

COMET. The best known of the curly Chrysanthemum-flowered type. There
are two or three strains of this, varying a little as to habit. They
range from 14 inches to 2 feet in height, and bear those large, loose,
feathered flowers that find so many admirers. The broad outer petals are
reflexed. The inner petals are shorter and curve and curl toward the
center. These grand flowers come in several beautiful shades.

[Illustration: ASTER "DAYBREAK"]

* * * * *

THE WINTER WOODS

How patiently they wait--the bare brown trees
Through winter's sullen gloom,
With arms outspread as if in suppliance
Of vanished leaf and bloom!

Till Nature's voice shall sound its clarion call
Waking the earth from sleep,
These monarchs shorn of all their treasure stand
In silence long and deep.

O learn a lesson from the winter woods!
Hope on O troubled heart!
In patience wait! The blessing thou dost need
God will at last impart!

_Alice Jean Cleator, Ohio._

* * * * *

THE LIVE OAK

(_In the South_)

On the gray outside of the year
Fluttered its leaves of cheer;
They reached to my winter window
And I thought that spring was here.
They reached out mistily
When dawn was on the tree,
But through the rainy mornings
How bright they gleamed and clear.

When other trees are bare
Oak banners glad the air,
And through the Southern summer
Its branches great and fair.
In all their splendid strength,
To all their living length,
Emparadise in shadow
The meadows everywhere.

_Ethelwyn Witherald, Canada._

* * * * *

THE INFORMATION BOX

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