358 FLOR\ HISTORICA. 



from the dwarf plants, where no preference exists 

 on other accounts, and from semi-double flowers 

 when double varieties are chiefly desired. Per- 

 haps seeds obtained from those particular florets of 

 the disk which have altered their form, may have 

 a o-reater tendency than others to produce plants 

 with double flowers. Sow in INIarch, or earher, 

 on a heat of 55" or 56" ; the young plants to be 

 pricked out, if necessary, in pots, and kept in a 

 moderate temperature, say 50° or 55'', till the end 

 of April. Now plant out where they are to re- 

 main, covering each plant at night with an empty 

 pot for some weeks, to avoid injury from frost. If 

 in a compartment by tliemselves, plant in rows 

 three feet wide, and at two feet distance in the row^ 

 Seedlings thus treated will blow in July, and con- 

 tinue in perfection till the autumn; but the first 

 frost takes the same effect on the Dahha as it -does 

 on the potato and kidney-bean. A blow may be 

 prolonged by planting in large pots, and removing 

 early in autumn to the green-house." 



Dahhas should be planted in open situations, 

 and in a rich loamy soil, or in a mixture of vege- 

 table mould and white sand, as a dry soil suits 

 these plants better than a retentive or wet earth. 



The full grown roots of Dahlias should be 

 planted early in April, on the spots where they 

 arc to flower ; and when the season is cold or frosty, 



