Chapter 1
Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
January Contents
PAGE
Editorial Notes 5
=THE ASTER=
_By Lora S. La Mance_
History of the Aster 6
The Modern Aster 6
General Culture of the Aster 7-11
About Seed, 7--Time to Start Asters, 8--Preparing an Aster Bed, 8--Mulching and Watering, 8--Insect Foes of Asters, 9--Other Cultural Rules, 11
The Aster as a Cut Flower 11
Leading Varieties of Asters 12, 13
The Winter Woods (Poem) 13
The Live Oak (Poem) 13
Information Box 14, 15
Communications 16, 30
ISSUED BY THE =MAYFLOWER PUBLISHING CO.= FLORAL PARK, N.Y.
* * * * *
Childs' Giant Cyclamen.
Our new strain of Cyclamen is the finest in the world. Enormous flowers, delicate colors, superb foliage. Each bulb produces scores of flowers at once, and each flower keeps perfect about two months before fading. As easily grown in a window as a Geranium.
Colors range from dark red to white, delicate blush and pink shades prevailing. Often flowers will be spotted.
The foliage is very beautiful, being variegated, with different shades of green, and helps to show off the flowers which rise above it, to a remarkable degree. In fact, a plant in bloom always looks like a tastily arranged vase of flowers and foliage. We offer bulbs for blooming at once, and seed which soon makes flowering plants.
=BULBS.=
=Giant White=--pure white. =Giant Carmine=--Bright. =Giant Pink=--Exquisite shade. =Giant White Crimson Eye.=
_Bulbs, 30c. each; the 4 for $1.00._
=Giant Mixed=--All colors, tints and shades, some being finely spotted. 25c. each; 5 for $1.00.
=SEED.=--Of above sorts and colors separate or all of them mixed, at 20c. per pkt.; 3 pkts. for 50c.
* * * * *
=Seeds--Bulbs--Plants--Fruits
OUR 1905 CATALOGUE.=
30th Anniversary Edition. 148 pages, colored plates and hundreds of superb cuts.
_SENT FREE TO ALL WHO APPLY._
Among our great Novelties and Specialties are the following:
Ivy-leaved Moonflowers, New Asters, Carnations, Geraniums, Coleus, Petunias, Verbenas, Pansies, Primulas, Pink and Yellow Callas, Burbank's Giant Amaryllis, Caladiums, Begonias, Gladiolus. Dahlias, Cannas, Lilies, Azaleas, Midwinter Chrysanthemums, New Shrubs, Vines and Rare New Fruits. Address at once.
JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, Floral Park, N. Y.
* * * * *
_THE MAYFLOWER MAGAZINE_
_Sent for 3 years for only 30c. together with 10 fine Flowering Bulbs Free._
For twenty years THE MAYFLOWER monthly magazine has been the most popular horticultural publication issued, going all over the world to hundreds of thousands of subscribers. It is devoted exclusively to the cultivation of Flowers, Plants, Fruits, Vegetables, and to gardening and home adornment in general. Each issue contains a leading article on some one subject and this subject is treated fully and concisely, being a perfect treatise. Some of the leading articles for next year will be as follows: Dahlias, Sweet Peas, Nasturtiums, Carnations, Violets, Asters, etc. Besides these leading articles each issue contains many more which while not so lengthy are none the less useful and interesting. Each issue also contains two important and useful departments, namely:
=The Information Box:= What our Readers Want to Know, by Lora S. La Mance. Here requests for information asked by our readers will be answered in a thorough and interesting manner.
=Correspondence:= Under the heading of each individual state are published interesting and useful letters from our readers, questions and answers, etc., which make this department of great interest and value to every subscriber. Most of our articles are finely illustrated, and all in all THE MAYFLOWER is the greatest help that any lover of flowers and gardening can have, keeping one abreast of the times on methods of culture, new varieties and scores of topics of general usefulness.
_Knowing that The Mayflower is the greatest help any one can have in the successful cultivation of flowers and gardens we have made the price so very low that it is easily within the reach of all_.
=SUBSCRIPTION PRICE= only 25 cents for 3 years, or for 30 cents we will mail FREE THE MAYFLOWER until January 1908, and 10 fine flowering bulbs as follows:
Mayflower's Bulb Garden.
=10 Splendid Summer-Flowering Bulbs for each of those who Subscribe, at a Cost of Only 5 cts. for postage.=
We have made up a Collection of 10 very choice and beautiful Summer-Flowering Bulbs as sort of a premium or present to those who subscribe this season. To get these 10 Bulbs it is necessary only to send =5 cents,= in addition to the subscription price (25c. for 3 years) making only 30c. to be sent to get the 10 Bulbs and THE MAYFLOWER for 3 years, or until January 1908. They are as follows:
3 Gladiolus Groff's New Hybrids, newest type 1 Montbretia Sulphurea, golden yellow 1 Chlidanthus Fragrans 1 Phadranassa 1 Mexican Gem (Milla or Bessera) 1 Mammoth Oxalis 1 Hyacinthus Candicans 1 Zephyranthus
Club Premiums to Club Raisers.
=A Fine Club Premium for Every Name Sent.=
THE MAYFLOWER is so good and valuable that it is a very easy matter for anyone, man, woman, or child, to get up a club among their friends and neighbors. Just think of it. THE MAYFLOWER three whole years for only 30 cents. We give the club-raiser a fine premium for every subscriber sent in. The club-raiser may elect one of the following fine Plants or Bulbs for =every subscriber= sent us, and same will be mailed free.
_Remember also that everyone who subscribes for The Mayflower for 3 years may by sending 5 cts. more receive the 10 superb Summer-Flowering bulbs._
1 Bulb Chlidanthus Fragrans 1 " Yellow Calla 1 " New Giant Gloxinia 1 " " " Begonia 1 " Canna Musafolia 1 " Fancy Caladium 1 " Gloxinia Tubiflora 1 " Sauromatum Simlense 1 " Japan Lily 1 " Easter Gladiolus 1 Pkt. Seed Jubilee Phlox 1 " Multiflora Roses 1 " Mayflower Verbena 1 " Jennings Pansy 1 " Giant Petunia 1 " New Double Sweet Peas, 4 sorts 1 " Marg. Carnation New Dwarf-Extra fine 1 " Giant Emperor Asparagus 1 " Rosy Nugget Watermelon, finest sort 1 " Everbearing Bush Strawberry
_Subscriptions may be sent to_
THE MAYFLOWER PUBLISHING CO., Floral Park, N. Y.
* * * * *
Thousands of Women Have Kidney Trouble and Never Suspect It.
* * * * *
Didn't Know I Had Kidney Trouble
I had tried so many remedies without benefit that I was about discouraged, but in a few days after taking your wonderful Swamp-Root I began to feel better.
I was out of health and run down generally; had no appetite, was dizzy and suffered with headache most of the time. I did not realize that my kidneys were the cause of my trouble, but somehow felt they might be, and I began taking Swamp-Root, as above stated. There is such a pleasant taste to Swamp-Root, and it goes right to the spot and certainly drives disease out of the system. It has cured me, and I cheerfully recommend it to all sufferers.
Gratefully yours,
MRS. A. L. WALKER, 21 McDaniel St., Atlanta, Ga.
=WOMEN= suffer untold misery because the nature of their disease is not always correctly understood; in many cases when doctoring, they are led to believe that womb trouble or female weakness of some sort is responsible for their ills, when in fact disordered kidneys are the chief cause of their distressing troubles. Perhaps you suffer almost continually with pain in the back, bearing-down feelings, headache and utter exhaustion.
Your poor health makes you nervous, irritable, and at times despondent; but thousands of just such suffering or broken-down women are being restored to health and strength every day by the use of that wonderful discovery, Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root, the great kidney, liver and bladder remedy.
=Why Swamp-Root Gives Strength=
Not only does Swamp-Root bring new life and activity to the kidneys, the _cause_ of the trouble, but by strengthening the kidneys it acts as a general tonic and food for the entire constitution.
The mild and extraordinary effect of the world-famous kidney and bladder remedy, Swamp-Root, is soon realized. It stands the highest for its wonderful cures of the most distressing cases. A trial will convince anyone--and you may have a sample bottle free by mail.
In taking Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root you afford natural help to Nature, for Swamp-Root is the most perfect healer and gentle aid to the kidneys that has been discovered. Don't make any mistake, but remember the name, Swamp-Root, Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root, and the address, Binghamton, N. Y., on every bottle.
_To Prove What SWAMP-ROOT, the Great Kidney, Liver and Bladder Remedy Will do for YOU , Every Reader of The Mayflower May Have a Sample Bottle FREE by Mail_.
=EDITORIAL NOTICE=--No matter how many doctors you have tried--no matter how much money you have spent on other medicines, you really owe it to yourself, and to your family, to at least give Swamp-Root a trial. Its strongest friends to-day are those who had almost given up hope of ever becoming well again, So successful is Swamp-Root in promptly curing even the most distressing cases, that to prove its wonderful merits you may have a sample bottle and a book of valuable information, both sent absolutely free by mail. The book contains many of the thousands upon thousands of testimonial letters received from men and women cured. The value and success of Swamp-Root is so well known that our readers are advised to send for a sample bottle.
In writing to Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y., be sure to say that you read this generous offer in THE MAYFLOWER. The proprietors of this paper guarantee the genuineness of this offer. If you are already convinced that Swamp-Root is what you need, you can purchase the regular fifty-cent and one-dollar size bottles at all drug stores everywhere.
* * * * *
VOL. XXI. FLORAL PARK, N. Y., JANUARY, 1905. No. 1
THE MAYFLOWER,
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT FLORAL PARK, N. Y.,
----BY----
The Mayflower Publishing Co.
JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, President.
_Subscription Price, 50 Cents for 3 years_.
Foreign subscribers must send two shillings extra for postage.
Devoted to the cultivation of Flowers and Plants, Gardening and Home Adornment in general.
_Copyrighted 1904 by the Mayflower Publishing Company_
Entered as Second Class Mail Matter at Floral Park P. O., N. Y.
_The principal subject of this issue is The Aster, by Lora S. La Mance. Read it and preserve the copy. It is worth keeping and you are quite likely to need it for future reference._
Complete volume of THE MAYFLOWER for 1904, now ready, price 25c. postpaid. Any volume from 1894 to 1904, inclusive, 25 cts. each.
Editorial Notes
=Our Attractive Offer for 1905=
We would refer our readers to one of the foregoing pages for complete information regarding our club premiums for 1905. As usual, we offer a good premium, (one that is well worth working for,) to the club raiser for every subscriber he or she sends us. Here is a chance for all our readers to add materially to their collection of floral treasures, as it is the simplest thing in the world to go out among one's friends and neighbors and get subscribers to THE MAYFLOWER. So good a floral magazine, at only 25c. for 3 years, together with 10 beautiful summer blooming bulbs for only 5c. extra, is a proposition that people are likely to accept, when it is brought to their attention, especially if they are the least bit interested in flowers or gardening.
=The Warbler=
If you are in the least interested in the scientific study of birds and bird protection, you surely need THE WARBLER magazine, which we publish at $1.00 per year, and which is advertised elsewhere in our columns.
=Imitation Gardenias=
The gardenia flowers now so much favored for wearing are expensive. All the dames beautiful enough to deserve them in profusion, do not receive them, perhaps. Clever imitations of the sprays are sometimes made up of the large shining leaves of the Japan Euonymus and the flowers of the Double Poet's Narcissus, N. alba plena odorata. Unfortunately, the difference in odor does not lend itself to the illusion.
=Two Favorite Bedding Pansies=
These are Emperor William and Lord Beaconsfield. One is light blue and the other yellow, so that, en masse, they are effective at a distance. The rich, dark, velvety Pansies are really more beautiful to look at, but we must stand close by them or hold them in the hand in order to enjoy them. In photographs the flowers of dark varieties hardly show at all. A good example of the handling of Pansies for effectiveness is shown in the planting of the six solid beds usually devoted to them in the grounds of Girard College, Philadelphia. The beds chosen for them are those that have been planted with Tulips the autumn beforehand. From seed sown in August grow thrifty young plants that are wintered in a cold-frame. As soon as the Tulips show leaves above ground young Pansy plants are set between them. When the Tulip flowers begin to fade the Pansies are opening their buds, and when the faded bulb-stems are cut away, lo! Pansy beds in full bloom!
* * * * *
THE ASTER
BY LORA S. LA MANCE, MO.
_History of the Aster--The Modern Aster--General Culture of the Aster--About Seed--Time to Start Asters--Preparing an Aster Bed--Mulching and Watering--Insect Foes of Asters--Other Cultural Rules--The Aster as a Cut Flower--Leading Varieties of Asters._
HISTORY OF THE ASTER
Starworts or Aster-like flowers of the Compositæ family are found in many parts of the world. In far-off China a flower-loving Catholic missionary noted a showy flower of late summer and early autumn. That was nearly two hundred years ago. The flower was what is botanically known as Callistephus, a Greek term meaning beautiful crown. From a scientific standpoint it was not an Aster at all, though closely related to that family. This wild Daisy-like Callistephus bore many graceful single flowers about the size of our largest wild Asters. The flowers consisted of a single row of light bluish-purple ray petals surrounding a golden disk-like center. In 1731 the Jesuit missionary sent seeds of it to France. It was liked from the first, and its early French cultivators politely named it _Reine Marguerite_--Queen Daisy.
In due time the plant reached England. Here it was re-named. In allusion to its origin and to the star-like spread of its bluish petals, they called it China Aster, =i.e.= China Star. Even in our mother's day it was still called the China Aster. It became popular, especially as it soon sported into different colors. Otherwise there was little change in it until a little after 1840, when the first double flowers were produced.
From that time its development was something marvelous. French, English, German and American hybridizers have vied with each other in bringing out new forms. It must be considered now as one of the few flowers that has all but reached perfection. There are three or four marked types of flowers, and it would seem impossible in any of these types to add to their beauty of form or to improve their colors, unless it would be to add a really deep yellow to the list of shades. Nor is anything lacking in size or doubleness of bloom.
THE MODERN ASTER
Our Asters of to-day range in size from the dwarfs, 6 to 12 inches high, to half dwarfs, 15 to 18 inches tall, and tall sorts, 20 inches to 2 feet in height. There are three leading types of flowers. (1) Rose-flowered, shaped and imbricated like a blooded rose, the outer petals reflexed or rolled back, and the inner ones slightly recurved. This type of flower is much prized by those who like regularity of petals. They are as perfect as though moulded and shaped out of wax. (2) Peony-flowered, large blossoms with incurved petals, making a globe-shaped flower. (3) Chrysanthemum-flowered, with closely arranged, informal petals, sometimes curled and feathered to a high degree. Beside there are quilled, ball, and tassel Asters, etc., modifications or sports of the types mentioned.
The Aster is a showy flower, and grows well for those who treat it well, in any climate or country. They come into bloom in late midsummer and last until frost, one of the scarcest times in the year for really good flowers. It is fine for exhibition at flower shows, and is useful as a cut flower. For all of these reasons the Aster would be a standard flower. Their great popularity is based, however, on two qualifications not mentioned above, and both of which they possess in a superlative degree. These qualities are great beauty of flower and a wonderful diversity and perfection of coloring.
A well grown Aster is simply magnificent. The Chrysanthemum is acknowledged to be the queen of autumn. Nevertheless more than one unscrupulous florist has palmed off great fluffy white blooms of Asters as those of Queen Chrysanthemum herself. Size, form, color and substance go to make up a superbly beautiful flower without a trace of coarseness or gaudiness about it. In poetical language their flowers symbolize both bounty and cheerfulness in old age.
No one but an artist should attempt to describe an Aster's colors. There are nearly thirty shades in Truffaut's Peony-flowered Asters. Victoria Asters can be purchased under twenty-four separate colors. Other sections show still other shades, to say nothing of those with white crowns and colored borders, and those with striped and silver-tipped flowers.
Only the drifted snow can compare with the purity of a white Aster. It has those spotless flowers that bring thoughts of heaven. Asters have many blue and lavender tints. None of them are muddy, or metallic, or dingy, as are too many blues and lavenders. They show the blue of a June sky, or the blue of the amethyst, or the color of the lilac of spring, together with soft lavenders, pale blues and deep indigo. Sulphur and primrose tints are the nearest yellow, but in reds they run the gamut from rosy flesh and palest apple-blossom through shell pink, peach, rose, carmine, scarlet and blood red to deepest crimson. Many of the pink shades are exquisitely beautiful. Only the pure whites can surpass them.
GENERAL CULTURE OF THE ASTER
I would like to say that a six-year old child can raise good Asters, and that they will grow in any kind of ground from a clay bank to a sand pit, or stand any kind of treatment. I can't truthfully say those things, however, for my Lady Aster is a fastidious dame. She wants plenty to eat and plenty to drink, and requires her insect foes kept at bay. Those who are not willing to do this had better let her alone. James Vick, that good old seedsman now gone to his reward, was an Aster enthusiast. His experience concisely summed up amounts to this:
_Never let them flag from seed-leaf to time of full bloom. Give deep, rich ground, plenty of sunshine, and mulch with coarse manure. Stake the tall varieties so as to prevent their blowing over._
That's a good rule for those who want everything in a nutshell. It may be summed up in another way. The way to have fine Asters is to do these six things: (1) Get the best seed; (2) start in a seasonable time; (3) give rich, mellow ground; (4) never allow them to parch; (5) keep insects down; and (6) stake when necessary.
[Sidenote: About Seed]
There are many kinds of seed that may be home grown year after year and the strain suffer no deterioration. Aster seed is not one of these kinds. If they were given high culture so as to bloom their best, and only a few of the very choicest individual flowers allowed to seed, they would of course come true from seed year after year. The trouble is that home saving is generally from all the flowers as they run, culls, off-colored specimens and all. Our best Asters represent very high breeding indeed. It is well known that highly bred plants quickly run out unless kept at the same high standard. Therefore never trust to haphazard seed if you desire first class Asters. Do not depend either upon cheap seed. Choose a reliable seed house, one that takes a pride in keeping the choicest strains of all the leading flowers and has too much regard for its reputation to send out inferior seeds under some high-sounding title.
[Sidenote: Time to Start Asters]
A great many people start Aster seed in the house or greenhouse as early as February. There is not only nothing gained by this--for the Aster is a late flower and does not come to its best estate before August, start it when you will--but an actual disadvantage. Like James Vick, I would emphasize the importance of never letting the plants get a check if the finest flowers are wanted. Now the Aster is not naturally a hothouse plant. It needs in its young stage plenty of fresh air. Without it, or without sufficient light, or in too warm an atmosphere, the young Aster plants become tall and spindling, or, as florists express it, are drawn. A drawn Aster invariably makes a weak, sickly plant, and never bears large or handsome flowers. Sow the seed thinly and cover lightly. They should germinate in from 5 to 7 days.
In the middle states the best growers make a practice of sowing the seeds in boxes about the last of April or first of May. Some make a couple of later sowings between that date and the first of June, sowing these in carefully prepared seed-beds in the open ground. This is to keep up a succession of flowers. So many sowings are scarcely necessary now that there are both early and late varieties to be chosen in the first place. The period of first sowing will allow for all, if kinds that flower at various times are chosen. In the Southern states a June sowing is recommended. A lath frame will keep the plants from parching.
Late Asters may be lifted for the house. It is a good plan if one wishes several of them for pot plants to sow seed of them in July, under a lath frame where they will be shaded somewhat and protected from drying winds until up and of some little size. These will come into bloom before the first Holland bulbs are ready for the window, and will remain in full beauty for several weeks. An August sowing will give late winter and early spring flowers.
Asters are easily transplanted and should never be allowed to become cramped for room, or to be grown in the shade of other plants. If carefully done, an Aster in almost full bloom can be taken up and replanted without injuring it in the least. So there is no excuse for letting them be crowded in either seed-box or seed-bed.
[Sidenote: Preparing an Aster Bed]