DAHLIA. 387 



essential 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 

 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 greater tendency than others to produce 

 plants with double flowers. Sow in March, or 

 earlier, on a heat of 5o° 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 remain, covering each plant at night with 

 an empty pot for some weeks, to avoid injury 

 from frost. If in a compartment by themselves, 

 plant in rows three feet wide, and at two feet dis- 

 tance in the row. Seedlings thus treated will 

 blow in July, and continue in perfection till the 

 autumn ; but the first frost takes the same effect 

 on the Dahlia as it does on the potato and kid- 

 ney-bean. A blow may be prolonged by plant- 

 ing 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- 



2 C 2 



