SUPPORTS FOR PLxVXTS, TRAIXIXG, ETC. 53 



hoe-handle, about six feet long, should be 2:>repared for 

 the Dahlia ; it should be painted, if white, with a dull 

 brownish green. No rods or supports should be painted 

 a bright green ; they will not require painting with any 

 color if they have the bark on. Hazel rods, Buckthorn 

 trimmings, or any other straight growing stick will an- 

 swer for one year. Stout painted wire is more durable, and 

 will answer for many years, if carefully preserved. Put 

 down Dahlia supports before planting the tubers, as it 

 can be done then in a more substantial manner than when 

 the plant has grown a foot or two high. It is then all 

 ready to tie the plant to as it advances in height. The 

 best material for tying, is the bass from the West Indies ; 

 it is the bark of some tree, and is kept by most seedsmen, 

 and is much used by nurserymen for budding. This is 

 very strong and pliable if wet, and can be split up very 

 fine, and looks neat, if all hanging ends be cut off. 



When tall plants are in masses, they may be kept in 

 shape by supports concealed as much as possible by the 

 foliage, using strong brown twine, fastened to these sup- 

 ports, to surround the mass, but care must be taken that 

 the stake or twine be invisible if possible. Morning 

 Glories and many other climbing plants may be trained 

 on twine to some object, and will require a little assist- 

 ance to give them a start, after which they will take care 

 of themselves ; or in some corner they present a fine ap- 

 pearance when trained to common bean poles. 



Petunias, in a mass, look best when left to themselves, 

 as they naturally incline to a spreading position requiring 

 only a little clij^ping w^hen they grow out of shape. A 

 single plant will make a handsome j^yramid when trained 

 to a supporting rod with an occasional trimming and tying. 



A few plants, well trained and supported, produce a 

 much finer efiect, than a multitude of them when left to 

 take care of themselves. 



