RAISING SEEDLINGS 79 



being performed with a full measure of success prepare a 

 compost consisting of good fibrous loam six parts, 

 thoroughly decayed stable or farmyard manure, leaf-mould 

 two parts each, and coarse silver sand one part. Then 

 take 3-inch pots, put a few small crocks in the bottom 

 of each pot, and cover the crocks with rough material, to 

 secure efficient drainage. On this material put about 2 

 inches of the prepared compost, and then place the young 

 plant in the centre and fill in carefully and firmly with the 

 requisite quantity of compost. As the potting proceeds 

 return the plants to the same house, place them near the 

 glass, and keep the house rather close for a few days. Sub- 

 sequently they may be removed to a frame or pit, or allowed 

 to remain in the same house, in either case having the ad- 

 vantage of a free circulation of air about them. 



The raising of seedlings is the third of the several 

 methods by which Dahlias can be readily propagated, but 

 it is not one that can be recommended as adapted to the 

 requirements of the general body of cultivators. To raise 

 seedlings is a very simple matter, and there is much interest 

 associated with the sowing of the seeds, tending the young 

 plants, and watching the development of the flowers, but 

 the results are seldom sufficient to justify either the space 

 devoted to seedlings or the attention necessary. It may be 

 that if the seed has been saved from first-class varieties that 

 have been beyond the influence of pollen of those distinctly 

 inferior, a few that will be of merit may be obtained from 

 several hundred seedlings, the remainder being moderately 

 good or distinctly bad. Therefore seedlings should not be 

 grown for garden decoration by the general body of culti- 

 vators. Varieties of high merit are alone suitable for that 



