94 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



about half an inch below the surface when the planting has 

 been completed. There are two points which should be 

 borne in mind during these operations : one is to have 

 the ball of soil thoroughly moist, and the other the necessity 

 for pressing the soil firmly around it. To ensure the balls 

 being sufficiently moist water the plants a few hours 

 previously to bedding them out and not immediately 

 before this is done. 



STAKING AND THINNING 



Supports should be given to Dahlia plants immedi- 

 ately they are put in their summer quarters, for the 

 growth is somewhat soft and liable to injury from strong 

 winds. Therefore, immediately they are bedded out put a 

 strong stake to each plant, and in the case of those grown 

 for exhibition the stakes should be of sufficient length to 

 stand from 4 to 6 feet above the ground level, the exact height 

 being determined by that of the varieties. Tall stakes are 

 not particularly attractive, and for this reason it is a good 

 practice in providing support for plants grown for garden 

 decoration to use in the first instance stakes that will stand 

 about 2 feet above the ground level when firmly fixed in 

 the border, and when the growth has reached the top of 

 these to put other stakes that will be proportionate to the 

 height attained, as in the case of the exhibition Dahlias. 

 As the stakes for both classes are fixed in position make 

 the plants secure by strands of raffia or some other suitable 

 tying material. While too much play should not be 

 allowed, avoid tying the shoots tightly, that the stems may 

 not be injured by the ties as they increase in diameter : 



