DAHLIA, 81 
well out from the plant in regular outline. These are 
far more useful for cut flowers, as they can be more 
gracefully arranged. 
Single Dahlias.—Where large masses of flowers 
are desired these will give the greatest satisfaction, as 
their flowers possess the most gorgeous colors, while the 
plants are more graceful and pleasing. Notwithstanding 
that the plant is of perennial habit, and is rapidly 
increased by cuttings, or division of tubers, it is quite as 
satisfactory when treated as an annual. When treated in 
this manner, seeds from the choicest varieties alone should 
be saved, such as have the largest and best formed flow- 
ers, of the most positive colors and best defined mark- 
ings. Seed sown in a frame, or hotbed, or even in pots 
in the house, early in April, make fine blooming plants 
in August, and will continue in flower until killed by 
frost. September is really the month for the Dahlia ; it 
is then in perfection; our hot, dry summers are not 
such as the Dahlia delights in, and the single forms 
seem more sensitive to the summer’s sun than do the 
double ones. We should advise keeping over a few of 
the most desirable forms and colors, from which to save 
seed. But where a large mass is required, depend wholly 
upon seedlings, which should be planted sufficiently 
close to spare a few of the poorer ones, of which there 
will always be a goodly number. ‘These can be thrown 
out when the first flowers appear, and the remainder will 
soon spread so as to cover the ground. The plants 
should be set in rows four feet apart, and two feet apart 
in the rows. In this way a harmony of color will be 
secured that cannot be effected by artificial arrangement. 
This may seem strange, as the gardener would naturally 
think that with his colors all assorted he could plant 
with more artistic skill than nature would employ. Not 
so, however, ‘in a bed of seedlings ; there will scarcely be 
two alike, with every color, from the most positive to 
a 
