THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA. 



209 



Propagation from Cuttings. — This me- 

 thod is the most generally resorted to 

 when increase of stock is required. About 

 the middle of February place the roots in- 

 tended for increase in a warm house, or 

 tot-bed frame ; if the tubers are covered 

 with soil, the better, though this is not 

 absolutely necessary, providing they arc 

 placed upon a damp surface of soi 1 or sand, 

 into which the tubers will emit roots. 

 They will soon develop young shoots, 

 which should be taken off when about two 

 inches long, taking care, if much slock is 

 required, to leave the base eye to the tuber, 

 which will soon again throw up other 

 shoots ; and by following on the same 

 course with subsequent croppings, the cut- 

 tings may be multiplied almost ad infini- 

 tum. Be careful to leave an eye at the 

 heel of each cutting ; for, although they 

 will grow and bloom the same season, 

 without this precaution, they will not again 

 form eyes for another year. Place the 

 cuttings in thumb-pots, and keep them in 

 a close warm temperature until rooted, 

 which will be in about a fortnight, when 

 they may be removed into larger pots. 

 Keep them in the same place for a few 

 days, then take them into a cool airy house 

 or frame, keep them near the light, and 

 give plenty of air, and be careful that they 

 do not suffer from want of water ; this will 

 cause them to grow stiff and short jointed, 

 which is a great desideratum ; for if they 

 once get weak they never, during the sea- 

 son, perfectly recover it ; neither do they 

 form as handsome plants when full grown. 

 Cuttings may also be taken off the plants, 

 after planting out, any time during the 

 summer, though the early and the latter 

 part are the best ; as success is not so cer- 

 tain during the intense heat. These cut- 

 tings, if taken off not later than the middle 

 of September, will form nice little tubers, 



and may be kept in the pots in which they 

 are rooted. These are often very useful 

 in case of accident with the old roots. 



To grow the Dahlia to perfection, it 

 must be planted in a rich soil and an open 

 aspect. It is well to forecast the season 

 before, where it is intended to grow them. 

 Let the soil be trenched two spit deep in 

 the fall, and mix thoroughly plenty of good 

 stable manure, well rotted; leave it rough 

 all winter. In spring, it should be well 

 forked over to the depth it was dug, which 

 will incorporate the manure with the soil, 

 and add to its fertility by admitting the 

 air freely .through it. Unless the dung is 

 completely rotten, and well mixed with the 

 soil, it will cause the plants to run to over- 

 luxuriant growth, and the flowers will be 

 small, and apt to come semi-double. This 

 is a point in which many err ; and some of 

 the finest sorts get a bad name on this ac- 

 count. Where a large quantity are grown, 

 and ornamental flower beds can • be dis- 

 pensed with, it is well to grow a crop of 

 celery or other vegetable on the ground the 

 season before planting, taking care to ma- 

 nure the preparatory crop very freely. This 

 will put the land in first rate order. Im- 

 mediately before planting, let the soil be 

 again forked over to the depth of six inches. 

 About the third week in May, the plants 

 may be finally planted out, not nearer than 

 five feet apart, carefully retaining the ball 

 of earth when taken out of the pots. "When 

 they have fairly started growing, pinch out 

 the tops, which will cause them to throw 

 out side shoots ; when these have grown 

 sufficiently, thin them out to three or four, 

 and bring them down nearly horizontal; 

 but be careful not to break them off at the 

 base, tie each branch to a stake and, as 

 growth progresses, thin out all weak and 

 superfluous shoots, cutting them close to 

 the stem. If fine blooms are desired, al- 



