Cultivation of the Dahlia in Private Gardens. 29 



PROPAGATION BY DIVIDING THE ROOTS. 



Instead, however, of cutting off the shoots as described 

 above, if the propagator requires only a limited supply of 

 plants, or not possessing sufficient confidence to perform the 

 work, he may allow them to remain until the shoots are 

 somewhat more advanced in growth, when he can remove the 

 root from the bed, and, with a sharp knife, divide it into as 

 many pieces as the shoots will admit of; but, before perform- 

 ing this, it will be necessary to examine the lower part of the 

 roots, because it sometimes happens that shoots start from the 

 under side, and grow upwards between the tubers, in which 

 case, while we are endeavoring to preserve one shoot, we de- 

 stroy another : however, the best way to guard against this, 

 is to cut no more with the shoot than appears to be connected 

 with it. The shoots thus divided should be potted off sepa- 

 rately, in pots proportioned to their size, using rich mellow 

 soil, rather sandy than otherwise, for the purpose, when the 

 pots may be plunged half-way up in a gentle hotbed. The 

 more gentle and moderate the heat of the bed for this system 

 of propagation, the better ; and an additional supply of air, 

 during the day, will be required for plants thus treated, they 

 being stronger and growing much quicker than mere cut- 

 tings, which have to generate entire roots. As soon as the 

 plants thus treated appear to be established, and begin to 

 grow, they should be removed from the hotbed and placed 

 in a cool frame, exposing them to the air during the day 

 by wholly removing the lights, but replacing them again 

 in the evening. 



There are doubtless many whose occupations would restrict 

 their attentions to a hotbed, and, for that reason, will not 

 provide one ; in which case, the roots may be placed in a 

 warm south border, in the beginning of May, and covered 

 about two inches with fine sandy soil, where, if kept mode- 

 rately moist, and covered at night with hand-glasses, or mats 

 thrown over hoops, many will succeed ; and when the shoots 

 appear over ground, and are about four or five inches in 

 length, the roots may be taken up, divided and potted as 

 above, and, when well established, planted in their places of 

 destination. I can give one satisfactory assurance that plants, 

 raised from divisions of the root, will make vigorous and pro- 



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