92 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



supplies are in excess of requirements, and the plants will 

 receive a check from which they will not readily recover. 

 When watering is necessary give sufficient to thoroughly 

 moisten the soil, and then wait until the soil has become 

 rather dry before giving further supplies. After the plants 

 have become well established and have filled their pots 

 with roots the waterings may be carried out on a liberal 

 scale without any fear of injury. When they commence 

 to root freely after the repotting, as indicated by the de- 

 velopment of the points of the shoots, admit air freely and 

 discontinue the use of the shading material. From this 

 stage onward, while avoiding exposure to cold weather, 

 ventilate freely, and as the growth and season advances 

 draw the lights off during the warmer parts of the day, and 

 for a week or so previous to their being bedded out the 

 plants should be freely exposed during the night pro- 

 vided, of course, that there is no risk of frost. Dahlias 

 grown in these conditions will range from 12 to 15 inches 

 in height by the beginning of June, have stems as thick 

 as the finger, and grow away freely and satisfactorily when 

 transferred to their summer quarters. 



In making arrangements for planting out the cultivator 

 should allow the plants sufficient space for their full de- 

 velopment, and for them to receive the attention they will 

 require with some degree of comfort without there being 

 any waste of space. Some sections require more space 

 than others, but experienced cultivators are generally agreed 

 that the cactus, show, fancy, paeony-flowered, and the robust 

 decorative varieties when grown for exhibition should be 

 planted 4 feet apart in the rows, and 5-feet spaces allowed 

 between the rows. The single, pompon, and collerette 



