76 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



hot-water pipes should be formed with some strong material 

 that will allow the heat from the pipes to pass through it 

 such, for example, as slate slabs or corrugated galvanised 

 iron and on this make a bed of sand or other loose material 

 in which to plunge the cutting pots. In a structure 

 arranged as here advised the Dahlias or other plants can be 

 started into growth on one side and their cuttings rooted 

 on the other, and the stage unprovided with bottom heat 

 will also be useful for the accommodation of the rooted 

 cuttings for a few days after they have been potted off 

 singly. 



In thus briefly describing what may be considered an 

 ideal structure for the propagation of Dahlias it must not 

 be understood that it is essential to success. It will be 

 found simple and inexpensive and a great convenience, but 

 Dahlias equal to the requirements of a large garden can be 

 raised in almost any house in which a temperature of about 

 65 is maintained. They can be readily rooted in a warm 

 pit or frame, and in a two-light frame placed on a bed of 

 warm leaves several hundred plants may be raised in the 

 course of the season without difficulty. 



The best time to commence propagation by means of 

 cuttings is the end of February, and the roots intended for 

 furnishing supplies should be put in boxes or pots in much 

 the same manner as advised for starting into growth those 

 which are to be grown on with or without being divided. 

 As the tubers will be destroyed when they have yielded the 

 required number of cuttings, any light soil will be suitable 

 for packing about the roots when in boxes or pots, and the 

 former are preferable because of the saving of room effected. 

 To avoid any mistakes with the names put a new tally to 



