For sowings from the end of March to the middle of April prepare a compost consisting principally of decayed leaf-mould, with sufficient loam to render it firm, and sharp sand to secure drainage.  Either pots or seed-pans may be used.  Place these in a cool greenhouse, or in a Cucumber or Melon pit, or even on a half-spent hot-bed.  Sow thinly; a thick sowing is very likely to damp off.  Just hide the seed with finely sifted soil, and place sheets of glass at the top to prevent rapid evaporation.  Give no water unless the soil becomes decidedly dry, and then it is better to immerse the pot or pan for half an hour than to apply water on the surface.  When the plants attain the third leaf they can be pricked off into shallow boxes or round the edges of 3-1/2 inch pots.  From these they either may have another shift singly into small pots, or may be transferred direct to blooming quarters.  A high temperature is not requisite at any stage of growth, indeed it is distinctly injurious.  From 55 deg. to 65 deg. is the extreme range, and the happy medium should, if possible, be maintained.  Give air on every suitable occasion, and as the time for transferring to the open ground approaches, endeavour to approximate nearly to the outside temperature.  The plants will then scarcely feel the removal.

Another and simpler proceeding produces fairly good results, and we describe it for the benefit of those whose resources may be small, or who do not care to adopt the more troublesome method.  In some spot shaded from the sun make a heap of stable manure, rather larger than the light to be placed upon it.  Level the top, and cover with four or five inches of rich soil.  Place a frame upon it with the light a trifle open.  When the thermometer indicates 60 deg., draw drills at six inches apart; sow the seed, and cover with a little sifted soil.  The light had better not be quite closed, in case of a rise of temperature.  As the plants thrive, gradually give more air, until, in April, the showers may be allowed to fall directly upon them in the daytime.  When the Asters are about three inches high they will be quite ready for the open ground, and a showery day is favourable to the transfer.  After the bed has served its purpose, the manure will be in capital condition for enriching the garden.

In the event of there being no frame to spare, drive a stake into each corner of the bed.  Connect the tops of the stakes, about one foot from the surface of the bed, with four rods securely tied, and upon these place other rods, over and around which any protecting material at command may be used.  With this simple contrivance it is quite possible to grow Asters in a satisfactory manner.