DAHLIA. 359 



a little litter or an empty fiowcr-pot should be 

 j)laced over the roots. To procure au early flow- 

 ering of these plants, they should be planted in 

 large pots, and kept in frames or a green-house 

 until May, when they may be turned out into the 

 quarters of the garden. The roots of the Dahlia 

 should be taken out of the ground when the frost 

 has affected the foliage and branches ; and they are 

 best preserved by placing them in casks or boxes, 

 and then covering them with sand, so that they 

 may not become so dry as to injure the vegetating 

 principle; but they must by no means be kept 

 moist : these boxes or casks may be placed in any 

 out-house or building that will protect them se- 

 curely from frost. 



When the roots are not taken out of the earth, 

 the stalks should be cut off when the frost has ren- 

 dered them unsightly, and a quantity of litter 

 placed over them for protection. 



The Dahlias most admired are those which 

 throw out their branches like a shrub, and are 

 prolific of flowers having short peduncles : the 

 blossoms should be clear and distinct in colour 

 and fully expanded. They are unfit for the small 

 parterre, from the height and size which they gene- 

 rally acquire ; and they have the best appearance 

 when planted on lawns forming clumps distinct 

 from any other plant. These clumps may consist 



