172 On the Culiivaiion of the Dahlia. 



be no choice after the first year, as they must come in regular rota- 

 tion,) the laterals should he carefully cut oft' the fruiting cane, so as 

 not to injure the buds, also those that bore the fruit, cut close off to 

 the old wood, being mindful to rub oft" all the shoots that make 

 their appearance, as they are not wanted, and of course, if left on, 

 would not only make confusion, but would take away from the other 

 part of the vine, the support it ought to receive. The cane that 

 was taken up from the bottom, should be shortened about a foot be- 

 low where the top one starts from ; the upper one to be cut about 

 two or three feet from the top of the house — thus fruiting from canes 

 every year. The cultivator may have three or four shoots from the 

 main stem, to bear the crop of fruit, which would perhaps be prefera- 

 ble to two — but the whole should have the appearance, when in 

 fruit, of one continued cane from the bottom to the top of the 

 house. The next vine, of course, will be headed down, leaving 

 four or five buds to each cane, for the purpose of having six or eight 

 bunches of excellent fruit. The lowest bud of each cane must be 

 carefully taken up as before observed. 



Whatever method is adopted in training the vine, if not the one I 

 have described, it should be always borne in mind, not to leave too 

 much wood on a vine, as nothing is more prejudicial ; and I would 

 also advise that the spurring in method, though pursued by some 

 cultivators, be particularly avoided. Much more might be written 

 upon this subject, and various and minute things mentioned for the 

 successful cultivation of the vine ; but if, in my humble efforts, I 

 have given a general outline, and laid the foundation for future ad- 

 vancement, it is all I have aimed to perform. 



Yours, J. W. Russell. 



Mount Auburn, Cambridge, April 1th, 1835. 



Art. V. On the Cultivation of the Dahlia. By Mr. Peter Mac- 

 kenzie, Gardener to Henry Pratt, Esq., Lemon Hill, Philadelphia. 



Gentlemen, 



According to your request, I send you a few remarks on the 

 cultivation and propagation of the Dahlia, wholly dispensing with the 

 planting out of old roots. I perceive in the April number of your 

 Magazine, page 130, an article on the cultivation of the Dahlia, by 

 Mr. E. Putnam. He informs us that the best mode of propagating 

 Dahlias is, by a division of the tubers. I will in the course of my 

 remarks, call Mr. Putnam's very particular attention, informing him, 

 at the same time, that more flowers, and the finest formed ones, and 

 these in greater profusion, are to be found on plants raised from 



