32 Commercial Gardening 



he can sell. Early in the season large numbers can be sent by parcel 

 post with the roots packed in damp moss. 



POT ROOTS. These are obtained from plants that are grown in their 

 pots all the season, by the end of which they have formed plump little 

 tubers and are sold during the autumn and winter. These are the only 

 type that can be used for export purposes, when distance and time are 

 factors, and can be sent to any part of the world. They are also largely 

 used for propagating purposes in this country. 



SOIL FOR DAHLIAS. For planting out it may safely be said that Dahlias 

 will grow in almost any soil. For choice a deep loam, rather heavy, suits 

 them best, but they will flourish in any well-cultivated soil. The better 

 the preparation by cultivation the better will be the results; though acres 

 are grown under plough culture, autumn digging is undoubtedly best for 

 heavy soils, while those that are light should be worked in early spring. 



MANURING. If a good dressing of manure be applied when the land 

 is dug, it is all that is necessary, though a dressing of superphosphate 

 or bone compound certainly helps to produce better flowers. This is 

 usually applied at planting- time, just a small handful scattered round 

 the hole; it is then mixed in during the actual planting. Liquid manure 

 during the summer months would be helpful but it would not pay 

 commercially. 



PLANTING AND STAKING. Where pot roots or division of the old 

 stools are relied upon for the stock they should be planted out in April, 

 but it is not advisable to plant out young green plants until the first 

 w T eek in June, except in sheltered places or in the South. It is advisable, 

 where the plants require staking, to drive the stakes before putting in the 

 plant. The strong-growing types, such as Cactus, Show and Fancy, 

 Pseony-flowered, and Giant Decorative should have one central stake and 

 four outer stakes; this leaves room for vigorous growth. This will apply 

 also to many of the tall-growing single, Pompon, and Decorative varieties. 

 The outer stakes can be put in as the plant requires them. This staking 

 is all-important where large flowers are required, for where a single stake 

 only is employed the plants have to be tied in like a faggot, which 

 effectually prevents half the growth maturing sufficiently to flower. 

 Where the plants are only required for stock purposes it is not necessary 

 to go to the expense of stakes; they can be planted more thickly and 

 simply cover the ground. The grower must check each plant while in 

 flower, to see that all the stock is true to name. All the strong-growing 

 varieties should be allowed at least 4 ft. between and in the rows. The 

 Pompons, single, and other shorter types can be grown at 3 ft. apart 

 each way. 



THINNING. Where fine flowers are required the number of growths 

 must be regulated. This is best done in their early stages, allowing each 

 plant five or six growths, while for ordinary purposes double the number 

 will not be too many. The Pompons, Singles and Collarettes, should be 

 allowed to grow naturally, thinning or disbudding being avoided altogether 



