CHAP, xvir VILLA GARDENING 113 



sujiport the maiu stem, the outside shoots cau be huked to it, and 

 thus a couc — which is the most graceful outline that any plant 

 can assume — is formed naturally ; but every shoot of any size or 

 Aveight must have a tie to support it, as the branches, unless 

 secured, are very apt to be splintered oft' by the wind. When 

 grown to produce grand tiowers for exhibition, the ornamental 

 appearance of the plants is sacrificed, for much priming has to be 

 done to throw their whole strength into a few channels. Other 

 stakes besides the centre one must be employed, and after the 

 best buds have been selected the others must be cut away. 

 Then as the buds begin to expand shading must be brought into 

 requisition, and in dry weather watering and mulching must have 

 attention. A plot of exhibition Dahlias, apart from the really 

 grand blooms whicii appear to be hidden away under shades made 

 of tin or zinc dm-ing the season of exhibition, is not to the orderly- 

 minded man a pleasant sight ; but then many take pleasure in it, 

 and there is room enough for eveiy man's hobby. Preparing and 

 di'essing the tiowers for exhibition is an art which can only be 

 learnt by seeing others do it, and by actual experience. There is 

 an art in setting things up to the best advantage, which, in some 

 people, is intuitive ; and others, no matter how much they may 

 try, never excel in it. Choice varieties of Dahlias are frequently 

 propagated in summer. Cuttings of tlie young shoots strike freely 

 in single pots in a close frame. The plants so raised are usually 

 wintered in the pots in a dry state and secure from frost. 



Winter Management. — As soon as the frosts of autumn have 

 destroyed the beauty of the plants, cut the tops down to within 

 6 inches of the ground. About a week afterwards, selecting a dry 

 day for the operation, lift the roots carefully with a fork and place 

 them in some airy outhouse or shed, each plant to have its name 

 or number securely fastened to the remains of the stem. When 

 the roots have been thoroughly ripened and dried they should be 

 packed away in a fairly dry situation till it is time to excite them 

 into growth again in spring. There are various ways of preserving 

 the roots of Dahlias in winter. When the moistiu-e which exudes 

 from the stem has dried up, and the roots have entered into the 

 state of rest which good cultivators seek to secm'e, they may 

 be packed in dry sand in a cool room or building where frost 

 cannot enter. I have kept them safely and well in a dry dark 

 cellar, on a shelf, stem downwards. The object of placing them in 

 the latter position is to make sure that no moistm^e lingers about 

 the base of the stem, as (if any remains) there it may set up decay. 

 Dryness and coolness are the conditions aimed at, but the ther- 

 mometer in tlie place must not descend below freezing-point, 



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