WHEN TO PLANT 91 



One of the essentials to success in the cultivation of 

 Dahlias is to maintain them in a progressive state from 

 the time they are transferred from the cutting pots until 

 they are planted in their summer quarters. In not a few 

 instances beginners in Dahlia culture fail to appreciate the 

 importance of this point, and leave the plants in the small 

 pots until such times as it is safe to bed them out. As the 

 result of this starving process they become more or less 

 stunted in growth, "and several weeks are taken up in the 

 recovery of lost time, a point of much importance consider- 

 ing the comparative shortness of British summers. Whether 

 raised at home or purchased from the nurseries, the plants 

 should be well established in small pots by the end of April 

 or early in May, and be then shifted into pots 5 or 6 inches 

 in diameter, the larger size being preferable. Use a sub- 

 stantial compost such as one consisting of fibrous loam 

 four parts, and leaf-mould and well-decayed manure one 

 part each, and pot moderately firm. It will be an ad- 

 vantage if the plants can be placed in a garden frame or 

 pit, where they can have the assistance of a little artificial 

 heat at night for a short time, and in the daytime also if the 

 weather is cold. Fire heat is not, however, essential, but they 

 must at least be placed in a frame where they can be kept 

 rather close and screened from bright sunlight for a short 

 period and be kept safe from frost. If the compost is 

 moderately moist when used and the plants are well watered 

 previous to being repotted, but little if any water will be 

 required for two or three days. Subsequently the plants 

 must be watered at such intervals as may appear necessary, 

 remembering that while sufficient must be given to maintain 

 a progressive growth, the soil will become sour if the 



