Vick's aster book for florists

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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VICK’S ASTER BOOK

FOR FLORISTS

MAMMOTH AMERICAN FLAG
got os See = : = = —___________________ ‘QF GROWING ASTERS ON

OUR FARM AT OGDEN, N. Y.

JAMES VICK’S SONS— ROCHESTER — THE FLOWER CITY

All of the varieties on this page

‘ 9 1 S D ° 2 are % e first four
Vick’s Snow drift The Earliest White Aster in Existence — tingtndet ondinsrycireumstances
in cultivation. Every onea splendid
money maker. Should be started

early, under glass.

Vick’s Snowdrift is without doubt the earliest of all extra
early varieties. The plants grow erect, with slender wiry
stems, crowned with beautiful, feathery flowers, nearly a
week ahead any other variety we have ever seen. The long
recurved petals give the flowers an exceedingly graceful
effect, heightened, in many cases, by the ragged irregular
character of the inner petals. Under favorable conditions a
block of Snowdrift is a money making proposition the first
few days while prices are high. Our plants this year are
the most vigorous we have ever produced.

Prices: = 0z., 20 cents; + 0z., 30 cents; ;: oz., 45
cents; lg oz., 75 cents; 14 oz., $1.35; 14 oz., $2.50;

1 oz., $4.00.
Vick’s Earliest Lavender

Identical with Vick’s Snowdrift except in color, which is
the same desirable shade as Vick’s Lavender Gem. Extra
fine stock.

Prices: ;; 0z., 20 cents; +; 0z., 30 cents; 75 0z., 45
cents; 1¢ oz., 75 cents; 14 oz., $1.35; 16 oz., $2.50;
1 oz., $4.00.

Vick’s Earliest Pink

Just what we have been trying to get for years to go with
Snowdrift to which it is similar except in color. One of the
best new things we offer this year.

Prices: <; 0z., 20 cents; = oz., 30 cents; 75 0z., 45
cents; l< oz., 75 cents; 14 oz., $1.35; 4% oz., $2.50;
1 oz., $4.00.

Vick’s Earliest Purple

New—Only a little seed to offer this year.
Prices: Packet 25 cents; 2 for 40 cents.

Vick’s Lavender Gem

A delicate lavender deepening with age; the most desir-
able shade for all commercial purposes. Feathery, full double,
comet flowers, on slender wiry stems. Medium height. In
season fully as early as Queen of the Market, with flowers
much larger.

Prices: ;; oz., 25 cents; ;; oz., 40 cents; 1< oz., 60
cents; 14 oz., $1.00; 14 0z., $1.75; 1 oz., $3.00.

gets poor seed, stands no show
at all.

Recent Novelties

A magnificent new class of mid-season Asters,
with extra long stems and large fluffy, full double
flowers of the finest type. In season, Vick’s
Triumph Comet Asters are between extra early
and the Early-Branching varieties, or about the
same season as Vick’s Royals. Splendid Mikado
or Rochester flowers of the best type, on tall,
upright plants. A great improvement over any
Upright Comet heretofore offered, in size of
plant, length of stem, and in size and perfection
of flower.

In comparing Vick’s Triumph Comet Aster
with the so-called Astermums as they were grown
on our farms, under as favorable conditions as
our Asters ever received, we found that the
plants of Vick’s Triumph Comet Asters were
taller, the stems longer and the flowers much
larger and more double than those of the Aster-
mum. We are convinced that in regard to both
size and quality, Vick’s Triumph Comet Asters
are at least four or five years ahead of the so-
called Astermum. As a large part of our crop
was destroyed by floods we have only a small
quantity of seed this year.

White, Shell Pink, Lavender Pink, Lavender, Rose

and Purple.
Prices: per packet, each 15 cents; two for 25 cents.

Page One

The man who gets good seed, but \ Tae 9 ©
neglects his plants, stands #little 1 S O t sters
show of success; but the man who r1um me

The Original “Rochester” Aster 222.5008

phasis on the quality. For VICK
QUALITY will be remembered
when the price has been forgotten.

Lavender Pink Rochester
Official Flower of the City of Rochester

ILLUSTRATION LAST COVER PAGE

This splendid Aster, of recent introduction, is already
better known among seedsmen and commercial Aster
growers than many other good varieties that have been
on the market for years, and it is steadily increasing in
popularity with wholesale florists. The color is an ex-
quisite shade of lavender pink. .The petals are narrow,
very long, and gracefully reflexed. The outer petals show
to their full extent, while gradually toward the center
they bend and curl across each other in magnificent dis-
order. It is a Comet Aster with the vigorous growth and
long stems of the Branching sorts, and crowned with im-
mense flowers. The flower illustrated on the back cover
was over six and one-half inches in diameter. Season a
little earlier than Vick’s Late Branching.

Price: ;; 0z., 20 cents; 1< oz., 35 cents; 14 oz., 6
cents; 4 oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

oO

Lavender Pink Rochester

NON-LATERAL TYPE

The flowers are borne stiffly erect and are more double
than those of the original Rochester, while the color is the
same charming shade of lavender pink. The flowers of
the Non-lateral Rochester not only have the great size
of those on the branching plant, but they have a remark-
able thickness and are without any trace of a center. The
entire strength of the plant is given to the production of
six or eight immense, wonderfully double flowers, which
are helderect at all times by the stiff, semi-upright stems.
About one week earlier than the original, or branching
type of Rochester.

Prices: 35 0z., 25 cents; 75 0z., 40 cents; 1< oz., 60
cents; 14 oz., $1.00; 14 oz., $1.75; 1 oz., $3.00.

Page Two

Sow part of your seed early and
make frequent sowings, so that
when the soil becomes warm and ree e W Oc es er O Ors
mellow you will be ready to set

out strong, well developed plants, =
neither too young nor too old.

Vick’s Shell Pink Rochester
Vick’s White Rochester
Vick’s Crimson Rochester

Last year we added two new colors, White and Crimson,
to our famous Rochester Class. This year we have another,
Vick’s Shell Pink Rochester. All are similar in type to the
other members of the family. All are selections out of our Mi-
kado class, from which the entire Rochester Class of asters has
had its origin. The flowers are larger and fuller than either
Mikado or Hohenzollern. The blooming season is about
the same as Mikado, and earlier than Hohenzollern or
Crego. Of the White and Shell Pink, we have a good supply
of seed, but only a small quantity of the Crimson.

Prices: White Rochester and Shell Pink, 3 oz.,
25 cents; ;5 0z., 40 cents; 1, oz., 60 cents; 14 0z.,
$1.00; 14 oz., $1.75; 1 oz., $3.00.

Crimson in packets only, each 20 cents; two for
35 cents.

Vick’s Lavender Rochester
Vick’s Purple Rochester

These magnificent flowers are more double and more
Chrysanthemum-like than those of the original Lavender
Pink Rochester described on the opposite page. The long,
narrow petals fall over one another in a charming cascade
of color, forming a wonderfully shaggy mass that cannot
be equalled for richness of effect. In addition to their
great diameter they have a most remarkable thickness
making them truly massive. Vick’s Lavender Rochester
is an exquisite shade of clear light lavender. Vick’s Purple
Rochester is a rich shade of deep purple.

Prices: Packets, either color, each 25 cents; two for
40 cents.

age Three

Our strains of Asters are not

= e 9 e
a V ick S Perfection sters allowed to ‘run out.’’ On the
' 350 VENI contrary, each one is improved
from year to year. We do not

keep with the crowd. We keep
AHEAD.

Splendid New Types of
Mid-Season Uprights

We consider this the finest mid-season erect
Aster in cultivation. The flowers are exquisite
in form, and the plants are taller than those of
the late upright Asters. Grown on our farm,
under ordinary field conditions, the flowers
average four inches in diameter.

When they are ready for market the entire
flower is strongly whorled, producing a charming
effect and making the White Perfection quite
distinct from any other Aster.

In mature flowers, the outer rows of petals
are straight, but the center still retains its char-
acteristic strong whorl. The broad petals are
shghtly folded lengthwise, making them appear
rather narrow.

The plants are extremely vigorous, with un-
usually broad dark green leaves and stout stems.
They carry from six to twelve large flowers on
long stems free from side branches.

Prices: White, Blush, Shell Pink, Rose, Lavender,

Crimson and Purple, each, per packet, 20 cents;
two for 35 cents.

Page Four

Sow liberally. Have plenty of e 9 e
a ick’s Pink Enchantress
are first set. Then you will be
prepared to replant at once in

case of the destruction of your
field by storms or drought.

One of the Best Novelties
in Recent Years

After giving it a thorough trial for several seasons, we
know that all the good things we have said about this fine
Aster has been fully warranted. Among its other good
qualities Vick’s Pink Enchantress has proved to be a very
desirable variety to grow under glass.

Its color is a soft delicate pink, so popular in the Pink
Enchantress Carnation. The flower is unusually lasting,
both as a cut flower and on the plant, and notwithstanding
its delicate shade, the color does not fade.

Vick’s Pink Enchantress is upright in habit, as dis-
tinguished from the branching form. The plants are very
vigorous, making a much stronger growth than any of the
older upright varieties. The leaves are large and broad,
like those of the branching class. The stems are long,
strong and graceful, for the support of the numerous, large,
marketable blooms.

In season, the Pink Enchantress is between mid-season
and late varieties, coming in ahead of the Early Branch-
ing, and as a commercial Pink Aster, it is without a rival
in that season.

The flower itself is always full double; the petals are of
medium length and very broad. Those toward the center
fold in very regularly, while gradually, toward the outer
edge, the petals stand out more and more, until those on
the outside recede from the center, thus increasing the
diameter of the flower, which compares favorably in size
with the largest flowering kinds on our farm.

The general effect of the loosely arranged, delicately
colored flower is indescribably soft and pleasing. The
rare combination of desirable qualities in this new pro-
duction attracted the favorable comment of every florist
and seedsman who has visited our farm and has seen it
growing under ordinary farm conditions.

This year we have sufficient seed only to give extra
large packets.

Prices: Packets, each, 15 cents; two for 25 cents. _

Page Five

That we are the Largest Growers of

Vick’s Famous King Asters seers Ameria ane euneee

the Best Asters in the world.

Plants of Branching Type

Habit and season similar to Vick’s Branching;
vigorous in growth, with long, stiff stems and flowers
of the largest size. In form the flower is distinct from
every other variety. The petals are folded lengthwise,
so that they somewhat resemble the quilled varieties,
giving the large flowers a bold and striking appearance.

Vick’s Violet King is a rich, soft violet purple, very
popular everywhere, not only with commercial growers,
but with amateurs as well. Vick’s Rose King is
identical with Violet King except in color, which is a
briliant Rose. Vick’s Lavender King is a fine color
in the King class, a beautiful deep lavender. Vick’s
White King, a recent introduction, is a splendid com-
panion to the other colors. Vick’s Shell Pink King
is a soft pleasing blush pink, just the shade to increase
the popularity of the whole King class.

While the whole class of King Asters has responded
splendidly to our efforts to secure larger and more
double flowers, the seed productiveness has been
greatly reduced, so that we have very little seed to
offer. We are certain that those who get it will be
well pleased with the investment.

Prices: Vick’s Rose King, ; oz., 20 cents; 14 oz., 35 cents;
4 oz., 65 cents; 14 oz., $1.25.

Vick’s Lavender King and Vick’s White King, in packets
only, each 20 cents, two for 35 cents.

Vick’s Shell Pink King, in packets only, each 25 cents,
two for 40 cents.

Vick’s Violet King, in packets only, each 15 cents.

Page Six

At best, there are so many con- e 9 0
ditions which Florists cannot con- 1C S amous In sters
trol, it never pays to increase the
risk of failure by using seed of

unknown origin and doubtful
quality.

Plants of Upright Type

The chief characteristic which differentiates
the varieties on this page from those on page six,
as the name implies, is the type of plant. Many
florists have a decided preference for a plant
whose branches grow almost straight upward,
there being a decided economy in being able to
set plants much closer together than is possible
with the branching sorts. The plants are very
tall and crowned with massive flowers quite
unlike any other type in cultivation. The
petals are very long and narrow, nearly straight,
and almost flat, being only slightly folded

lengthwise. The thick masses of narrow petals
give the flowers a beautiful, soft, fluffy ap-
pearance, and their immense size and peculiar
form make them strikingly handsome and
distinct.

Vick’s Upright Shell Pink King is a new color
which we offered last year for the first time; a
soft delicate pink. Although Upright King
Aster plants are very generous in yielding large,
handsome flowers, they are very sparse seeders,
and we have only a small quantity of seed to
offer. We anticipate that as soon as we can
get sufficient seed of these colors to offer in
bulk, they will become very popular with the
trade.

Sold this year in packets only.

Prices: Upright White, Lavender Pink and
Lavender King, each, per packet, 20 cents; two for
35 cents.

Upright Crimson and Shell Pink King, per
packet, 25 cents; two for 40 cents.

- The extreme right end of the picture
shows the edge of the adjoining farm,
purchased by us this year, whose
buildings are more than a mile from
those in the picture above. Two other
farms purchased and four more leased
represent our farm expansion this year
to keep up with the demand for Vick
Quality Seeds.

Queen of the Market

The Best Known Early Variety

Queen of the Market has been for many years the
standard Early Aster. The spreading plants are strong
and hardy, and the flowers are of good size and well
adapted to meet the demands of the florist. The center
of the flower is well covered, and the broad petals are
loosely arranged, giving the flower a soft and graceful
effect.

For a number of years we have been growing limited
quantities of various colors of Queen of the Market and
constantly improving the stock. We now have a strain
that is thoroughly acclimated and very much superior
to that imported from Europe. The plants are much
stronger and the flowers are larger and more double.

Owing to unfavorable weather and excessive rainfall
at critical times the crop of Queen of the Market is
very, very short.

Prices: White, Lavender, Light Blue and Peach Blossom:
7; 0z., 25 cents; l¢ oz., 40 cents; 14 0z., 75 cents; 14 0z., $1.35;
1 oz., $2.50.

Rose, Crimson, Scarlet and Dark Blue, in packets only,
each, 10 cents.

Shell Pink (Upright type), packet, 15 cents.

Page

Eight

Vick’s Imperial Asters

The Most Popular Medium Early Variety

This popular mid-summer class of Asters may now be
had in a variety of beautiful colors. The upright plants
bear large, compact flowers, which are so double as to be
ball-shaped. In typical varieties the petals are rather nar-
row and practically straight; Imperial Sunrise, however,
has long needle-shaped petals of beautiful, shell-pink.

Prices: Imperial Rose, Sunset, Yellow, Lavender, Bluebird,
Dark Violet and mixed: ;; 0z., 20 cents; 1, oz., 35 cents; 14 0z., 65
cents; 14 oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Salmon, Sunrise and Lilac: Each per packet, 15 cents; two
for 25 cents.

Vick’s Giant Purity. Larger and better in every way
than the original Imperial Purity, which we no _ longer
catalogue.

Prices: ;; 0z., 20 cents; 1, oz., 35 cents; 144 0z., 65 cents; 14
oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Vick’s Giant Daybreak. Like the Giant Purity,
Vick’s Giant Daybreak is larger in plant and flower than the
Imperial Daybreak. The color is a little deeper; the petals
are more loosely arranged.

Prices: ;; oz., 20 cents; 1 oz., 35 cents; 4 0z., 65 cents; 14
oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Page Nine

Vick’s Royal

This is the age of the specialist.
For many varieties of seed we
contract with men who grow them
better than we could. In Asters we
have specialized longer, introduced
more varieties and grown more
seed than any other seedsmen in
America. Thatis why more Florists
buy Aster Seed of us than of any
other concern.

An Excellent Strain
Developed from Vick’s Branching

Without doubt one of the best, by many con-
sidered the very best, general purpose, early
Aster ever introduced. The flower stems start
from the plant close to the ground, are free from
laterals and consequently give their full strength
to the production of numerous large, handsomely
proportioned flowers. Sown early, inside, and
planted out with Queen of the Market, it follows
that variety very closely.

Vick’s Royal sown with the late varieties
possesses all of the characteristics of Vick’s Late
Branching, but comes into bloom ahead of the
Early Branching. Because of its vigor and pro-
ductiveness it will succeed under conditions
which would be fatal to most other varieties.

In our belief no other strain of Asters will
give more general satisfaction than Vick’s
Royal. Royal Purple the first in this class
introduced in 1907 is one of our best selling
varieties. Vick’s Royal White and Royal Shell
Pink are larger and a little later than the
other colors. Royal Lavender and Royal Lav-
ender Pink are the earliest, and are especially
well adapted to growing under glass.

Prices: White, Shell Pink, Lavender Pink, Lav-

ender, Rose and Purple; 7; oz., 20 cents; } 0oz., 35
cents; 14 oz., 65 cents; 1% 0z., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Page

Ten

Se things are centainy. runs e 9 e
an old saying, ‘‘death and taxes.’’
in this connéction. we might add Vick’s Mikado Aster

that failure to grow good Asters
is certain if one starts with poor
seed; but if one uses good seed
and reasonable care, success is
as certain as it can be with most
things in this world.

The Leading Mid-Season
Comet Aster

There is a rapidly growing demand for good
Comet Asters of larger size and long stems in the
Cut Flower trade. Without the slightest doubt
this class of Asters will continue to grow in popu-
larity wherever displayed. The main difficulty has
been to find Comet Asters of sufficient substance
to stand shipping. In this respect Vick’s Mikado
Asters are a very superior strain of the mid-season
Comet type.

The flowers of this variety are large and full and
of good substance; the curved and twisted petals
make them resemble huge Chrysanthemums, and
they are borne on long stiff stems. Our stock, the
past season, as usual, was of the highest quality,
with full rounded centers of curled and twisted
petals.

The blooming season is most opportune, com-
ing between the extra early and late sorts, thus en-
abling growers to have Asters of the Comet type
from early summer until cold weather.

Vick’s Mikado Dark Violet is a new color in
this class, a deep, rich, purple violet. Five colors,
White, Shell-Pink, Lavender-Pink, Rose and Dark
Violet.

Prices: ;; oz., 20 cents; 14 oz., 35 cents; 14 oz., 65
cents; 14 oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Page Eleven

The difference in cost between
Vick Quality Seeds and the com-
mon kind may be only a trifle, but
trifles frequently make all the
difference between success and
failure.

The Peerless Queen of Asters

The popularity of Vick’s Branching Asters con-
tinues to grow. ‘Today more seed of these Asters
are sold than of all other American grown strains.
While many other varieties are needed in any well
proportioned crop of Asters, few Florists could
afford to be without a large planting of this excep-
tionally fine strain. Vick’s Branching Asters are
catalogued by many reliable seedsmen, from whom
it would be perfectly safe for Florists to order.
There are imitators, however, against whose worth-
less substitutes we caution our customers and
friends.

Bear in mind that Vick’s Branching has steadily
improved so that it surpasses the type sold only a
few years ago. With the exception of our Non-
lateral, our Late Branching are still the very best
late Asters, and remain unsurpassed in those quali-
ties which are demanded of a high class, quick-
selling, commercial variety.

Plants are extra large, of strong and vigorous
growth, yielding a profusion of flowers from the
middle of August until heavy frost. The flowers
are of extraordinary size, and stand erect on long
graceful stems.

Prices: White, Shell Pink (Mary Semple), Lavender
Pink, Lavender, Rose (Lady Roosevelt), Rosy Carmine,
Claret, Scarlet Gem, Crimson, Purple, Dark Violet

and Mixed: 1< oz., 20 cents; 14 oz., 35 cents; 14 oz., 65
cents; 1 oz., $1.25.

Cardinal: in packets only, each, 20 cents; two for
35 cents.

Plum Color: ~; 0z., 20 cents; '¢ oz., 35 cents.

See other colors on opposite page.

Do not confine your knowledge

e ®
of Asters to the two or three kinds 9
you have grown heretofore. Order 1C S Ol j= a era Tal IC Ing
our Gold Medal ;Collection and
get acquainted with all the lead-

ing varieties.

Vick’s Early Branching

This excellent Aster is similar in character of
plant and flower to the Late Branching, but blooms
about a week or ten days earlier, enabling the grower
to market his Asters in advance of the main crop of
Late Branching, at a time when there is a scarcity
of good Asters, with prices correspondingly high.

The flower stems are entirely free from side shoots,
enabling the entire vitality of the plant to go into the
development of the few long, graceful stems, crowned
by immense double flowers. Practically every bloom
is an exhibition flower. What is needed today is not
more, but larger and better, Asters.

Prices: White, Lavender Pink, Rose, Lavender, Purple,

and Dark Violet, ;; 0z., 20 cents; 1< oz., 35 cents; 14 0z.,
65 cents; 14 0z., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Shell Pink and Crimson, each, ;5 0z., 25 cents; 14 0z.,
40 cents.

Vick’s Late Branching

Peach Blossom. A deeper shade of color than
Vick’s Lavender Pink Branching. Very double;
plants non-lateral.

Prices: ;5 0Z., 20 cents; 1% oz., 30 cents; 14 0z., 50 cents;
14 oz., 80 cents; 1 oz., $1.50.

Peerless Pink Branching. Beautiful shell pink.
Resembles Mary Semple, except that it is more double,
the center being filled with a thick whorl.

Prices: ;5 0z., 20 cents; 14 oz., 30 cents; 14 0z., 50 cents;
lg oz., 80 cents; 1 0z., $1.50.

Rosy Pink or Deep Pink. A beautiful shade of
considerably more color than Lavender Pink or Semple
Pink, but lighter than Branching Rose, very popular.

Prices: 5 0z., 20 cents; 14 oz., 35 cents; 14 0z., 65 cents;
lg oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Page Thirteen

Improved Late Hohenzollern crs.

We can’t guarantee success, but
we do furnish good seed, and good
seed is an absolute necessity in
order to obtain success. Better
not start at all than start wrong by
getting seed of doubtful quality.

Improved Late Hohenzollern

The Hohenzollern and Mikado Asters have
extra large Comet flowers on branching plants,
which are vigorous and productive. The Mikado
strain originated with us; the original Hohen-
zollern Aster in Germany. We have worked up a
strain of Hohenzollern which is unsurpassed. For
Comet Asters to come immediately after Vick’s
Mikado we recommend Late Hohenzollern very
highly.

Our strain has magnificent large, double flowers
of the ragged Comet type. The plants resemble
the Branching Asters in size and habit and in
season of bloom. Late Lavender and Late Purple
are exceptionally large and decorative. The
Lavender is a beautiful clear shade of light
lavender; the Purple is a fine rich shade and a
splendid flower.

Prices: White, Rose, Lavender and Purple:
7; 0z., 20 cents; ¢ oz., 30 cents; 14 0z., 50 cents; 14 oz.,
80 cents; 1 oz., $1.50.

Improved Crego

The Crego is an Aster of the Hohenzollern
Comet type. The only color which is distinctive
is a pure shell pink, a trifle lighter shade than
the Shell Pink Branching (Mark Semple). The
other colors are simply good strains of a class
long in cultivation.

The stock we offer is, we believe, the best
grade it is possible to obtain anywhere, showing
a marked improvement since it came into our
hands.

Prices: White, Shell Pink, Lavender, Rose and
Purple: ~; oz., 20 cents; 4 oz., 30 cents; 14 0z., 50 cents;
14 oz., 80 cents; 1 oz., $1.50.

It is our constant endeavor to

e
produce varieties suitable for all >] ¢
seasons, circumstances of locality 1 Cc S a e rT 1
and trade, and every individual
taste. That is the reason for the

rapidly growing demand for our
Asters.

Especially Fine for Cutting and Shipping

Vick’s Late Upright Asters possess all the good
points of the important upright class. The plants
grow very compactly, sending the flower stems
directly upward, on long, firm, strong stems, some-
times two feet or more in length.

The Plants cover less ground than any of the
Branching varieties, and afford better opportunity
for cultivation and other work in rows without
damage to the flower stems. The stems show less
tendency to droop than almost any other variety,
and consequently the flowers are less lable to be
spoiled by storms or other causes.

The Flowers in both form and size resemble Vick’s
Branching Asters, being large, symmetrical double and
full to the centers. The flowers always command
high prices in the wholesale markets. They bloom
about the last of August. The demand for this seed
is rapidly growing.

There are now seven colors: White, Rose, Lav-
ender Pink, Crimson, Amethyst, Purple and Peach-
blossom.

The Flowers of Vick’s Late Upright White, Lav-
ender Pink, and also the Rose closely resemble those
of the Late Branching. The Late Upright Crimson
has very large flowers of a deeper and more glowing
color than those of the Branching Crimson.

Prices: White, Rose, Lavender Pink, Crimson, Purple,

Amethyst and Peachblossom; ;; 0z., 20 cents; 1 0z., 35
cents; 14 oz., 65 cents; % oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $2.00.

Page Fifteen

Finally, do not get the impression

of Flower and Vegetable seeds, and
certainly handle as high-grade
stocks, as any other seedsmen in
America. Tell us whether you are
a florist or dealer and ask for our
wholesale catalogue.

> 3 that Asters are our only specialities.
| Cc S U Uu i / } if ] O T y We handle about as complete a line

An Extraordinarily Beautiful,
New, Very Late Branch-
ing Aster

Pure sea-shell pink. While similar in color
to Semple’s Pink, with which all growers are
familar, it has a better and more substantia:
flower, a deeper and longer-keeping color, larger
and stronger type of plant. Its most distinctive
characteristic and chief claim for recognition,
however, is the fact that it is later in season than
any of the other varieties.

While it cannot take the place of Semple’s
Pink, or Peerless Pink Branching and others of
like color, all of which are earlier, it supplements
them by blooming after the other Late Asters are
past their prime, and before the early Chrys-
anthemums are ready, thus prolonging the Aster
season two weeks, and coming at a time when
good flowers are extremely scarce. Vick’s Autumn
Glory will be a money-maker for the commercial
grower, and a delight to the amateur. It comes
uniformly true to color and type. The flowers
are very double and are borne on stems of unusual
length.

Because it flowers so late it is a very sparse seeding
variety.

Prices: Packets, each, 20 cents; two for 35 cents.

Make Aster Growing a Business

There is this difference between an Aster grower business man and an Aster
grower gambler: The business man makes Aster growing a regular business
proposition; plans to put in a reasonable acreage every year. The gambler in
Asters guesses whether the market next year will be high or low and makes his
planting accordingly. If Asters are plentiful one year, he keeps out of the business
the next year. On the other hand, if he sees other growers make a substantial
profit one year, he puts in an enormous crop the next year. At least three times
in five the Aster gambler loses. At least four times in five the Aster grower
business man makes a substantial profit. Instead of putting in a large acreage
one year and very few plants, if any, the next year, he plans to have a reasonable
acreage every year. It almost surely pays:

Make Liberal Seed Sowinégs

Don’t risk your entire success on one variety or on one planting of a number
f varieties. With a little experience you will soon find out what kinds do well
on your land and in your market. Put in frequent sowings of these kinds every
few days so that when soil conditions are right you will have plants ready to
set out, neither too young nor too old. The cost of the seed of the plants not
needed is a mere trifle compared with the success at which you aim. If you
skimp on the seed needed in the first place and put in one planting only, possibly
soil conditions may be unfavorable when your plants are ready to set. We
always try to raise more plants than we shall need. This year planning for one
hundred forty acres of Asters, we put in enough seed in the first place to set out
almost three hundred acres. As a result, although it was the most unfavorable
spring ever known, we succeeded in getting in almost as large an acreage as we
originally planned. If our Aster growers last spring had followed this plan,
there would not have been such a scarcity of Asters this fall. This advice is
offered in the hope and the confidence that it will increase the prosperity of our
Aster growers who are engaged in a rapidly growing and an increasingly profit-
able industry.

Our Last Testimonial

Here are a few extracts from a letter of a wise grower received today, January

Sth, 1917. The letter shows what can be done in an “‘off year.”

“T herewith enclose an order of seeds which I need for my next year
crop of Asters and wish you would quote me your lowest price, as I do
not care to wait for your catalogue, as I wish to be sure of my seed. I
expect them to grow and bloom in order named for a continuous bloom
from latter part of August to some time in October. Have you any sugges-
tions to make of improvement in the choice of varieties? I tried out most
all of your varieties two years ago.”

My great success this year of $910.00 clear above commission and
express charges from less than one acre has made a number of growers
anxious to try them.

This land had no manure or fertilizer whatever, is a sandy loam, but
was clean and cultivated and hoed often. The enclosed picture was taken
after two thirds of the season was gone.”

Florists’ Offer, No. 1

For the benefit of florists who want only a small quantity of each variety
for trial purposes, we offer one retail packet each of any six of our newer varieties,
your choice, including our booklet ‘‘How to Grow Asters,’’ regular price 10 cents,
for 90 cents.

Florists’ Display, No. 2

One packet each of any twelve varieties, twelve packets in all, including
“How to Grow Asters,” $1.75.

Florists’ Exhibition Offer, No. 3

Twenty-five packets, your choice of any color or variety offered in this
book, not more than one packet of each kind, including our booklet, ““How to
Grow Asters,’’ $3.00.

Florists’ Prize Offer, No. 4

Fifty packets, your choice, one each of any fifty kinds mentioned in this
book, including all of our novelties, our booklet, ‘‘How to Grow Asters,” and a
handsome lithographed picture of Asters with no wording or advertising of any
sort, $5.00.

Florists’ Gold Medal Offer, No. 5

For florists who desire to make the largest possible displays in varieties
and colors of high grade Asters, we offer one packet each of seventy-five varieties
of Asters, including all that are offered in this book and additional varieties
from our retail catalogue, seventy-five packets in all, amounting to nearly $12.00
at regular retail prices, our booklet, ‘‘How to Grow Asters,’’ and the Aster picture
described above, $6.00.

How to Grow Asters

Newly Revised, Enlarged and Illustrated

A booklet of practical experience in Aster growing, from the sowing of the
seed to maturity, including a chapter on Aster insects and disease and their
remedies. Our revised edition contains much new information as the result of recent
investigation and experiments. Every Aster grower, whether an amateur or
florist, will find this booklet worth its weight in gold. Copyrighted. Price
10 cents, or free with an order for Aster Seed of not less than 25 cents.

Vick’s
Lavender - Pink

“Rochester”
Aster

W

THE OFFICIAL FLOWER
of the CITY OF ROCHESTER

See Page three

James Vick’s Sons
Rochester, N. Y.
THE EL OWER- CITY

Largest Growers of High Grade Asters
in the World