On the Cultivation of the DaJilia. 173 



cuttings. Supposing Mr. Putnam to be fortunate oncugli to have 

 a fine variety, that no other person possessed ; and as it frequently 

 happens with the finest of roots, that only one eye will make its ap- 

 pearance ; I ask Mr. Putman how he would manage in dividing the 

 roots of this. The answer migh.t be, having no more eyes, it must 

 grow. If this, however, was treated in the manner above, it might 

 prevent others for years from growing the variety, and it would only 

 be seen at Salem. 1 would therefore advise heading down this first 

 shoot, if it was only to throw it away, as a Dahlia, when checked in 

 this manner, will in nine cases out often, throv/ up eyes from where 

 none would have come, had the first shoot been allowed to grow. 



For myself, I would as soon liave the first cutting as the whole root ; 

 being strong, i could very soon have plenty from it. 1 will now 

 call Mr. Putnam's attention to the following mode of propagating 

 this "king of flowers." About the middle of January I j)ot my 

 roots, according to their respective sizes, placing them in the hot- 

 house, as near to the light as possible ; giving gentle waterings until 

 the eyes make their appearance, when they require a more coj)ious 

 supply. About the same time I procure from the stable yard a 

 quantity of fresh hot manure, making it up in a hot-bed for a one, 

 two, or three light frame, according to the number required, making the 

 bed upon level ground, and about two feet in height. After the bed 

 is made, the frame should be placed immediately upon it, and about 

 three or four inches of sand or ashes on the surface of the manure ; 

 sand, or ashes, being warmer than common soil — and also preventing 

 slugs or worms from committing any destruction. The sashes should 

 be put on, and kept close, until the heat rises, which will be in the 

 course of two or three days. By this time the Dahlias in the hot- 

 house will have made shoots three or four inches in length, with the 

 foliage a little expanded ; 1 cut them ofF as close to the crown of 

 the root as possible. They will be found to strike more freely when 

 cut close, and just below a joint, than when cut in the pithy part of 

 the stem, being careful to leave an eye below where you cut, as from 

 this you may have two more shoots in the course of a few days. In 

 this manner you may go on increasing the number of plants, looking 

 over them every evening, and taking oft' such as are expanded in the 

 foliage. Having, previous to this, mixed a compost of two parts leaf 

 mould and one of sand, I fill as many of No. 60, or three inch pots, 

 [No. 2,] as may be wanted for the first evening, (preferring the even- 

 ing for this operation ;) and with my finger, I go over the whole, 

 and make a hole in the centre of each pot; this hole I fill up with 

 pure sand, placing my cuttings one in each pot, and with both thumbs 

 pressing them as tight as possible, Avriting the name of each correctly 

 on a label, and placing the same in the pot to which it belongs. 

 When done, I sprinkle them all over with a fine rose, and carry them 

 immediately to the hot-bed, keeping the frame shut close, day and 

 night, and sprinkling them every morning and evening, and shading 

 with mats from the hot sun. 



