124 ON THE TREATMENT OF THE DAHLIA. 



of finding thtm blown down and torn to atoms by every storm, I tried 

 the expedient of training them on the ground in the manner of roses. 

 Having my clumps well prepared, and my plants ready, I plant them 

 about four feet asunder, every way taking care that the colours are 

 well contrasted ; and as the plants grow, I peg them down with strong 

 pegs in every direction, so that the whole of the surface of the beds is 

 covered ; great care is requisite to peg them in the beginning, owing 

 to the brittleness of the stems ; as the plants advance in growth, they 

 are firmly pegged down. Nothing can exceed the magnificence of a 

 large clump of Dahlias so treated ; they form as it were a large basket 

 of flowers of inconceivable richness and beauty. 



By this method, that clumsiness is avoided which often arises from 

 ignorance of height and habits of the different kinds ; plants from two 

 to six feet high are planted indiscriminately. Another very material 

 advantage is gained by this method : plants' that are apt to grow too 

 gross, and others that are shy of flowering, are by this method induced 

 to flower abundantly, owing to the check given to vegetation by the 

 horizontal position of the plants, in the same manner as the depres- 

 sion of the branches of fruit trees induces fruitfulness, to say nothing 

 of the trouble and unsightliness which is avoided in staking, &c. My 

 plants present a mass of flowers about eighteen inches from the sur- 

 face ; and such a compact mass of bloom falling beneath the eye forms 

 one of the most fascinating objects imaginable. 



I generally plant my beds of Standard Roses in the same manner : 

 thus, after my roses have done blooming, 'they are succeeded by an 

 undergrowth of Dahlia bloom, but the ground in this case must be 

 annually renovated in the best possible manner, owing to the impover- 

 ishing qualities of the Dahlia. 



I am afraid that the'professed Dahlia grower will smile at these sug- 

 gestions, but to the suburban villa gardener, the amateur, and persons 

 who are desirous of growing this fine flower in bleak, exposed situa- 

 tions, I feel confident that, after trial, these hints will be duly appre- 

 ciated. 



Should these remarks be acceptable, I intend sending you a 

 method of grouping flowers in masses in a new and beautiful manner 

 which I have successfully practised. T. W. 



[We shall be much obliged by the additional kindness of our 

 respected correspondent. — Conductor.] 



