ON THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA, 75 



hot-bed covered with four inches of suitable soil; in either case 

 they will strike root in six or eight days. In cutting off the shoots 

 close to the old roots, I find they strike much more freely than if 

 cut crossways under a joint, in the upper part of the shoot, al- 

 though there is a possibility of their striking under that mode of 

 treatment. 



When the cuttings have pushed roots, I pot each into a sepa- 

 rate pot, and the soil I use for potting my Dahlias in, is a light 

 rich one. When the Dahlias are potted, whether old roots or 

 cuttings, I place them in a peach-house or vinery,[till they push to 

 eight or ten inches long, then I have them removed to a very 

 airy situation in the garden, and where I can have them protected 

 if the weather should become unfavourable. 



As soon as I consider the danger from frost is over, which is 

 seldom before the end of May, I turn the plants out entire, plant- 

 ing them in sheltered sunny situations. 



The soil of my borders is a strong loam, eighteen inches deep. 

 I manure the border well every spring before planting, and at 

 the same time add about an equal part of good fresh soil. In this 

 they flower profusely, particularly the plants raised from cut- 

 tings. 



The plan of training the plants to a fence, appears to "me to be 

 the best mode of securing them, for when tied up to stakes, the 

 wind frequently twists them, and destroys their tops, but the 

 other mode secures them against all winds, and exhibits the 

 flowers to the greatest advantage ; three or four stakes placed 

 angularly round the plant, and the plant tied to them, also an- 

 swers the purpose. 



When the blooming season is near its close, I lay about four 

 inches thick of rotten bark, or leaf soil, over the roots, and for 

 two feet round the stem of each plant; this is done to prevent 

 the crown of the plant being damaged by sharp and sudden frosts. 

 1 have seen many Dahlias that were exposed, have the crowns so 

 injured by sudden frost, as not to push at all the following spring, 

 although the remainder of the root was sound. 



When I take up my roots, it is on a dry windy day, if possible, 

 shaking off the soil carefully, so as not to twist the roots. I have 

 them removed to an airy situation in a shed, or in the mushroom- 

 house ; there placed singly over the floor or shelves, till the soil 

 remaining on the roots is dry. When that is the case, I lay them 

 on shelves, secure from damp or frost, and cover them with dry 



