DAHLIA. 35t 



union may be effected without tlie ledge, provided 

 the graft can be well fixed to the tuber, but the 

 work will not then be so neat. It is of advantage, 

 though not absolutely necessary, that a joint should 

 be at the end of the scion, for the scion will occa- 

 sionally put forth new roots from the lower joint : 

 the stem is formed from the upper joint ; I there- 

 fore procure the cuttings with the two lower joints 

 as near together as possible. After the graft has 

 been tied, a piece of fine clay, such as is used for 

 common grafting, must be placed round it: then 

 pot the root in fine mould, in a pot of such a size 

 as will bury the graft half way in the mould : place 

 the pot on a little heat in the front of a cucumber 

 or melon frame, if you chance to have one in work 

 at the time ; I prefer the front, for the greater con- 

 venience of shading and watering which are re- 

 quired. A striking glass may be put over the 

 graft, or not, as you please. In about three weeks 

 the root should be shifted into a larger pot, if it be 

 too soon to plant it in the border, which will pro- 

 bably be the case; for supposing the work was 

 began in March, the plant cannot go out till the 

 end of May, so that the shifting will be very essen- 

 tial, to promote its growth till the proper season of 

 planting out shall arrive." 



J. Sabine, Esq., recommends that the seeds of 

 the Dahlia *' should be collected in September 



