Growing Exhibition Dahlias 



By P. W. Popp, New York. 



June first is earl}- enough to plant dahlias in the vicinity 

 of New York. A dressing of cow manure should be ap- 

 plied to the ground in the spring, dug in, and the ground 

 allowed to settle and warm up. Alark off the location of 

 the rows and drive in the stakes ; the stakes with square 

 corners are preferred, as the corners offer more resist- 

 ance, and are not so apt to lean over when the ground is 

 wet, the wind blowing, and a heavy plant tied to them. 

 Stakes are placed 3y2 feet apart in the row ; the rows 

 4 feet apart. If space is limited, early flowering asters, or 

 other early flowering plants may be planted between the 

 stakes ; there is a great difference of opinion among 

 dahlia growers as to the choice between the dormant 

 tubers and the "green plants." While the "green plants" 

 if kept growing right along without a check until plant- 

 ing time, undoubtedly give good results, yet it very often 

 happens that in the rush of other work, or unfavorable 



taining the tubers, the bottom side up, the drainage holes 

 giving sufficient ventilation to prevent heating, this being 

 a better method than storing in sand. If the sand should 

 be moist it has a tendency to start the growth, while if 

 the sand is dry enough to be safe, it absorbs the natural 

 moisture of the tubers, which become weak and useless. 

 When planting time arrives, dig holes a foot or more 

 square and cS inches or 9 inches deep, planning to have all 

 the holes the same side of the stake the whole length of 

 the row. This has a two-fold purpose, it saves damaging 

 the tubers when cultivating between the rows, also acts 

 as a guide for safe digging of the tubers in the fall. 

 When the holes are all dug they are treated to a double 

 handful of pulverized sheep manure, which is thoroughly 

 mixed with the soil; then a large pailful or potful of 

 water is poured in. When the ground has settled all is 

 in readiness for planting; if tubers are plantefl plan to 



p. W . I'lll'l' IN HIS CAKHK.X OF DAIIIJAS. 



Tin: ,\EW GIANT NEWPORT SINGLES AND (..EKMAN CACTI'S DAHLIA. "VATER 

 RIIEIN" IX FOREGROUND. 



planting coiulitions, the pot plants do not get the neces- 

 sary shift and become pot-bound, dry out a couple of 

 times, then become hard and stunted. A stunted dahlia 

 plant is absolutely useless, and if planted only invites dis- 

 appointment and failure. I'or those reasons I prefer 

 and usually plant tubers, selecting medium sized, plump 

 clean tubers. Only one tuber is necessary, but if there is 

 any danger of cutting too near the "eye" the second one 

 is allowed to remain, the fresh cut is immediately dipped 

 in a saucer of flowers of sulphur and any that sticks is al- 

 lowed to remain, but ;the sulphur is not rubbed in ; any 

 bruises or abrasions are sprinkled with the sulphur also ; 

 this work is ;Usually done about April 1 when the dor- 

 mant clumps are removed from the cellar. Each variety 

 is labeled and placed in flats, and stored in a cool dry 

 cellar until wanted. If there is any danger of the tubers 

 shrivelling, a secon<l flat may be placed over the one ci^n- 



have the tubers 5 to 6 inches below the soil when finally 

 levelled up, place the neck of the tuber as close as possi- 

 ble to the stake, cover with just enough soil to barely 

 cover the tuber. The filling of the holes with water I 

 consider very important, as it supplies the necessary 

 moisture to promote quick root action, the drier covering 

 oft'ering less resistance to the young growth when pene- 

 trating the ground. In a few days after planting growth 

 will start — and so does the cut worm — the black fellow 

 with the tough hide. He is quickly taken care of by mix- 

 ing a quantity of corn meal, with just enough Paris 

 green to slightly color it a pale green ; a pinch of this 

 mixture is placed near each plant just before nightfall, 

 when there is no danger of rain falling ; a second dose is 

 rarelv needed, and the dahlia has gotten rid of the first 

 enemv. It is always well to have a few plants in re- 

 serve, to replace cripples or fill in lilank spaces. For this 



