102 BV GRAFTING SOIL. [May. 



a good portion of black earth from the woods, and placed 

 in another moderate hot-bed and give a gentle supply of 

 water. Particular care must be paid to shading them from 

 the violent rays of the sun, for if they are once exposed, 

 they seldom recover : in this state they should continue till 

 they have formed their roots, which, in a temperature of 

 from sixty to seventy degrees, will be in from two to three 

 weeks. Where a great stock of any particular sort is 

 wanted, the cuttings should be taken off just below a joint, 

 leaving two or three eyes at the base of the shoot, which 

 will again speedily produce new shoots, that can be again 

 removed in a similar manner. 



When the plants are rooted, they may then be consid- 

 ered established, and all that is necessary is, to shift them 

 into larger pots as they require ; and gradually inure them 

 to a lower temperature, till they can endure the open air, 

 which will not be before the middle of May. 



Propagation by Grafting. Where only a few plants 

 are wanted, this is a very successful method, as an opera- 

 tion can be conducted in the office or parlour window. The 

 cutting intended for the graft should have about three joints ; 

 when obtained, select a good tuber without eyes from any 

 common sort, and with a sharp knife cut a slice from the 

 upper part of the root downward about two inches in length, 

 and about half an inch in depth, and then cut it off horizon- 

 tally, leaving a ledge whereon to rest the graft ; next cut 

 the graft sloping to fit, and cut it so that an eye or joint may 

 be at the bottom of it to rest on the aforesaid ledge. After 

 the graft has been firmly tied, a piece of clay should be 

 put round it, pot the root in fine soil, in a pot that will bury 

 the graft half way in the mould, and cover it with a glass, 

 (a large tumbler will do,) and in two weeks it will have 

 taken root, the glass may then be removed, and the plant 

 gradually inured to the open air. 



Soil. As far as my observations enable me to judge, 

 the soil best adapted for the Dahlia is a sandy loam, not 

 retentive of moisture, and not too rich, as they will grow to 

 leaves and branches, producing few flowers, and even then 

 imperfect : not too poor, as in such they will be very indif- 

 ferent, meagre in size and general appearance. Where 

 soils are rich and heavy, a portion of sand or gravel should 

 be mixed in the soil where they are planted : but if poor, 



