HOW TO PLANT 93 



varieties, not being so robust, may be successfully grown 

 when planted 4 feet apart each way. Dahlias grown for 

 garden decoration in accordance with the advice given will 

 be less robust in growth than those cultivated for exhibition 

 purposes, and therefore will require less space. In arranging 

 them in beds and borders that are wholly devoted to them, 

 from 24 to 36 inches apart each way will be a good distance, 

 this being determined by the section and the character of 

 the soil. In growing Dahlias in association with the 

 various classes of hardy plants, they may be arranged singly 

 or in groups consisting of three plants each of one variety 

 as may be preferred. In the case of groups the most 

 striking effect is obtained by arranging the plants in the 

 form of a triangle and about 30 inches apart. 



The plants intended for the production of colour effects 

 in the garden should be planted without any further en- 

 richment of the soil than that already mentioned, but in 

 the case of those grown for exhibition some additional 

 assistance that will be available during the earlier stages 

 of growth will be distinctly beneficial. With line and 

 measure mark the positions of the plants in accordance 

 with the measurements given, and then at each one dig in 

 about half a peck of thoroughly decayed stable manure and 

 a pint or so of soot. If manure of the kind mentioned is 

 not available, use instead some suitable fertiliser, such as 

 superphosphate of lime at the rate of 4 or 5 ounces at 

 each station. It will be an advantage to prepare the 

 positions a week or so before planting, and make the soil 

 moderately firm. The operation of making the holes is best 

 done with a trowel, and each hole should be large enough to 

 receive readily the ball of soil, the top of which should be 



