9-2 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



CULTURE. 



One of the most important points to be considered is location. 

 To get the best results select an open situation, where the plants 

 can get plenty of sun and air. They will grow and give some 

 blooms in almost any place, even when shaded by trees and 

 buildings, but no plant is satisfactory unless it does its best. 

 Planted in the open garden they will bloom profusely until cut 

 off by frost. Planted along an exposed walk or drive they 

 make a beautiful and effective border. They can be massed 

 or banked effectively and are good for bedding purposes. Some 

 people train the taller varieties on trellises, others let them 

 spread on the ground, giving the effect of a bed of low growing 

 flowers. Planted in the shade they make a tall but soft growth 

 and bloom sparingly. Dahlias are seldom a success, however, 

 when planted under or too near large trees. The trees not only 

 rob them of sunshine and air, but the roots, large and far- 

 reaching, rob the ground of both moisture and nutriment. 



Any moderately rich soil that will grow good corn will grow 

 good Dahlias, if all other conditions are favorable. Sandy loam 

 is best, however, as it will resist drought better. The plants 

 are strong, robust growers, and are not particular as to the kind 

 of fertilizer given as long as it contains the necessary elements 

 for their development. Make the soil mellow by ploughing or 

 spading a foot deep or more. Thorough preparation of the 

 soil is essential as it not only enables the roots to grow deeper 

 after moisture during dry weather, but affords good drainage 

 after heavy rains. 



Dahlias should not be planted till the ground becomes thor- 

 oughly warmed, usually about May 20th in this vicinity. The 

 plants grow very rapidly and when planted about this time give 

 better satisfaction than when planted earlier. Plants coming 

 into bloom the latter part of August also give better satisfaction 

 than those that come into bloom in July. However, tubers may 

 be planted much later than May 20th. I had in my garden 

 this summer four tubers that were planted about the loth of 

 July. I exhibited blooms from one of them at the Central 

 Maine Fair, Waterville, September nth. 



Dahlias are propagated by seeds to produce new varieties, 

 and bv division of roots. Division of roots is the easiest and 



