110 SCHOOL AND HOME GAKDENS 



THE DAHLIA 



Dahlias may be grown in beds or borders away from 

 large trees and the shade of buildings. The soil must 

 be light, well drained, and moderately rich. Dig it up 

 to the depth of a foot and thoroughly incorporate with 

 it two or three inches of rotted barnyard manure, or 

 mix in a handful of garden fertilizer. 



Plant dahlia roots from the middle of April to the first 

 of June. Set them from three to four feet apart, accord- 

 ing to the variety. Pack the soil moderately around and 

 above the roots, and cover to a depth of six inches. 



To start roots in cold frames, pack them close together 

 without separating the bunches. Cover with an inch or 

 two of sand and give them a moderate amount of mois- 

 ture and plenty of air. About three weeks after plant- 

 ing, or when the shoots have grown to a height of four 

 or five inches, separate the bunches, leaving one good 

 root with each shoot, and transplant to the garden. Set 

 them in the soil so that almost the entire length of the 

 shoot will be covered. 



Tall varieties will require stakes about three feet high. 

 The best time to set these is when the roots are planted. 

 Tie the dahlia to the stake when it is a foot high. If 

 more than one shoot grows from a root, cut away all but 

 one or two when the plants are three or four inches above 

 the ground. To grow large flowers, remove some of the 

 buds. When the buds are formed in groups of three, 

 pinch out the two side buds. 



