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Sy Divisions of the Root. — This is the most common 

 mode of propagation, miless it be with the nursery-man, who 

 raises from cuttings to increase his stock rapidly. If the 

 buds have not started, it is best to place the roots, or stools 

 as they are called, in gentle heat, before they are divided ; 

 or cover them over with a little earth, in a warm 

 place, the beginning of May, so as to start the buds be- 

 fore the roots are divided. Without this course, it will 

 be impossible to divide the tubers so as to be sure of a 

 bud on each ; and without a bud a tuber is worthless. 

 The buds having appeared, clean the roots from soil, and 

 with a sharp knife divide the stool in such a manner that 

 a bud may be secured to each division. The smallest 

 tuber, with a bud, will make a strong j^lant. 



Ry Cuttings. — This process requires so much care and 

 attention, that I must refer my readers to works on the 

 subject of propagation. 



Plants raised by cuttings have never succeeded so well 

 with me as from divisions of the root. The reason may 

 be, that in the propagation of new varieties, in the desire 

 to realize as much as possible, weak shoots are taken, and 

 forced so rapidly, and become so attenuated and weak- 

 ened, that they never recover. True it is, that, after pay- 

 ing extravagant prices for new sorts, I have frequently 

 been disappointed in not having a single bloom ; and, what 

 is worse, the roots may not get strength enough to stand 

 through the winter, even with the greatest care. 



8oil and Cultivation. — Too much has been said and 

 written upon the cultivation of the Dahlia. After follow- 

 ing the directions given by various amateurs and writers, 

 and after taking much pains and care in cultivation, I have 

 been surprised to find that the refuse of my roots, planted 

 without care, with very little manure, in yellow loamy soil, 

 liave far outstripped those on which more abundant pains 

 had been bestowed. The Dahlia likes a humid atmosphere. 



