28 ON THE CULTURE OF THE UAH MA. 



An impression has been entertained by many persons, that the 

 Dahlia is a native of a very hot country, but such is decidedly 

 erroneous, for Mexico, in North America, (from whence it was 

 imported,) although situated between the tropics, possesses the 

 properties of a temperate climate, highly fertile, and yielding some 

 rare productions of nature. It follows, therefore, that our climate 

 is in point of temperature somewhat more assimilated to the native 

 clime of the Dahlia than has been pretty generally imagined ; and, 

 considering our national ardour and skill in Botanical research, 

 with the highly cultivated soils used in the pursuit, England must 

 stand unrivalled, and claim the palm of excellence, in the culture 

 of this Autumnal Emperor of the Floral World. 



Propagation of the Roots. — Growers who propagate for sale, 

 prepare their hotbeds mostly in February or beginning of March, 

 by which means their plants are ready to send out earl)' in May ; 

 but as that season is admittedly too early to risk the planting of 

 tender and valuable Dahlias, it is, therefore, cpiite unnecessary for 

 those who cultivate for their own amusement, to prepare the hotbed 

 so early as above mentioned ; independently of which, the earlier 

 in the season the roots are put into excitement, the greater the 

 degree of attention and skill required to guard against and coun- 

 teract the effects of inclement weather. I, therefore, strongly 

 advise the young Dahlia bloomer not to prepare his bed until 

 about the 25th of March. Make the bed of fresh hot stable dung, 

 something larger each way than the size of the. frame intended to 

 cover it. After the bed is made up, allow it to remain about a 

 week to ferment, that the rank strong heat may in some degree 

 subside. 



The bed being prepared and the frame placed on, fine sifted 

 very sandy soil should be spread over it to the depth of about three 

 inches ; the roots put on and the tubers covered with similar soil, 

 being cautious to leave the crown of the root uncovered. The 

 lights may then be put on, observing that if great heat arise from 

 the bed, to raise the lights a little at the back, to admit of the escape 

 of the rank steam. This may be allowed both day and nighlj 

 while really necessary ; but cautiously protecting the roots by cover- 

 ing the glass at night with matting, so secured as to prevent their 

 being carried off by the wind. The ventilation of the frame should, 

 of course, be proportionate to the degree of heat and steam emitted 



