230 Genei'al Notices. 



lions, confident that every amateur will find them of the greatest assistance 

 in the growth of superior flowers : — 



" Culture of the Dahlia. — Having been frequently solicited to give the 

 particulars of my system of cultivating the Dahlia for exhibition, 1 beg to 

 offer the following directions, as the result of considerable experience, at- 

 tended with uniform success, from 1834 to the present time. During this 

 period I have grown the ' King of Autumn ' in four different localities, 

 and in as many different soils. The ground I occupy at present, differs 

 materially in its nature, and consists of old black vegetable garden mould, 

 stiff loam, and sandy or peaty loam. 



The finest flowers are produced with less labor and attenticm on the 

 latter, to which, of course, I give the preference ; and I would recommend 

 to those beginning the culture of the Dahlia, or others selecting a new piece 

 of ground, to choose a moist, light part of the soil, for flowers that produce 

 green, hard centres, and likewise a convenient situation for giving them 

 plenty of water, as their rapid growth causes them to produce flowers with 

 perfect centres ; when those floweis that generally come thin after their 

 first blossoms, should have an open situation and heavy soil, in order to pro- 

 duce slow growth. The Marquis of Aylesbury, Hudson's Princess Royal, 

 &c., are suitable to the former; Lady St. Maur, Beauty of Sussex, and 

 such flowers, to the latter situation. 



Planting. — The ground having been well turned, or thrown up in 

 ridges, during the winter, levelled when in a dry state late in March, or 

 early in April, and well dug previous to planting, I proceed to mark the 

 distance ; which should be six feet from row to row, and five feet six in the 

 rows. This will not be found too much ; as large flowers can never be 

 produced, if the plants once become drawn. 



A few spits of light rich soil, well-mixed in the spot where the plants 

 are about to be placed, will cause them to take hold, and be established, in 

 much less time ; and, if the ground is poor, the same quantity of rotten 

 manure mixed in underneath, will also be of great benefit. 



The last week in May, or the first week in June, is the proper time to 

 commence planting. Select those plants that are short, stout, and fast 

 swelling ; and avoid thbse that have stood too long in the pots, and have 

 become stunted in the points, and hard in the leg. If such cannot be avoid- 

 ed, it would be a saving of time to re-pot, and place them in a brisk heat. 

 I would recommend, also, that the young plants should be repotted, as soon 

 as received from the nursery, into four-inch pots, and placed in a cold frame, 

 free from slugs, and to be kept growing, though slowly, giving all the air 

 possible in fine weather, so that the stems of the plants may be of a dark 

 green color, short-jointed, and of a healthy appearance. Green fly should 

 not be allowed to exist amongst them. By attending to these simple 

 means, it is easy to lay the foundation of future success, which cannot 

 be obtained with bad plants. 



Stake them at once with one large stake, to be permanent, and secure 

 the plant with a strong piece of bass, suflBciently loose to allow the stem 

 to swell. Add two small stakes at right-angles, to which the plant must 



