Addresses — Dahlias. 247 



will give a succession of flowers till late in autumn. Dahlias can 

 be grown in any soil, if fertilizers and a portion of sand is added, 

 but a rich sandy loam is best. In their native place they bloom in 

 the wet season, consequently they require much water. Strong 

 stakes and strings are also indispensable requisites. The best 

 dahlias we have ever seen were near the house, where they received 

 the drip of the eaves, and the dwelling gave protection from the 

 winds. In such situations they will grow from five to nine feet 

 high. They should be set two and a-half or three feet apart, in a 

 deep soil. We have found it best to prepare the ground whenever 

 we wish to set the tubers, by digging places twelve or eighteen 

 inches deep, and as many in diameter, if in uncultivated soil, and 

 then fill up with finely pulverized earth and manures; in each 

 place set a firm stake, and near it set the dahlias. It the 

 staking is delayed till the plant needs support, there is much 

 danger of crushing the young tubers. They are very liable to be 

 broken by the wind, and as soon as of sufficient size, they should 

 be tied to the stake with a stout, soft string that will not injure 

 the stalk. Strips of cloth, or the coarse twine used for tying wool, 

 we have found best. As the season advances they will need much 

 care in this direction. It is often necessary to use two and three 

 stakes, and several feet of twine for a single plant. Dahlias may 

 be grown in upright form, or as bedders, by fastening or pegging 

 to the ground; but for this lofty flower we much prefer the upright 

 method. They may also be trained in espalier form; this shows 

 their beauty to great advantage, and insures protection from storms. 



Only one stalk should be grown from a single tuber. Pinch off 

 all side branches as soon as they appear at the axil of the leaves, 

 until a bud appears. The branches next to the first bud should 

 not be removed. After this they will need but little pruning till 

 mid-summer, except to remove all shoots from the roots. Some 

 varieties will perfect all the buds they put forth. Some times thirty 

 perfect blossoms can be found on a single plant. Other kinds must 

 be pruned of two-thirds of their buds, or they will mature only 

 one or two flowers the first of the season. One will soon learn by 

 experience what treatment each variety requires. A dozen good 

 kinds will make a fine display in any garden. 



The names of dahlias so often become changed by mistake, that it 

 is never quite certain whether cultivators receive or retain the origi- 



