DOUBLE DAHLIA. 107 



planted in the open borders, from three to four feet from each 

 other. Let the ground be well pulverized, and enriched 

 with good old manure, before the plants are set out. If the 

 top soil be shallow, and the subsoil inferior, it would be 

 beneficial to the plants, if holes be dug to the depth of from 

 a foot to eighteen inches, and then replenished with good 

 rich compost, consisting of two-thirds fresh loam, and one 

 third of well rotted manure. 



Many cultivators have found late planting to suit better 

 than arly, and I myself have had more perfect flowers, 

 from plants set out about the middle of June, than from 

 those planted in May : this is easily accounted for. In July 

 and August the weather is generally hot, which brings 

 the forvvardest plants into bud at an early season, and 

 in the event of a continuation of hot dry weather, such 

 buds fail to produce perfect flowers ; whereas those plants 

 which are set out late, keep growing through the hot 

 weather, and produce their buds just in time to receive all 

 the benefit of the Autumnal rains. From a consideration of 

 these circumstances, I think early in June the safest time to 

 set out Dahlia plants ; and if those persons who have no con- 

 venience of forcing their roots, set them out in May, in 

 ground prepared as before directed, they will generally suc- 

 ceed very well, provided they take care to cover them incase 

 of a cold change of weather. The roots may be thus cul- 

 tivated entire, as is frequently done ; but if it be desired to 

 have them parted, this business can be easily accomplished 

 without disturbing the roots, and the offsets ma'y be planted 

 in the ground seperately or potted. 



Previous to sotting out the plants, it will be necessary to 

 provide for their preservation through the varied changes of 

 the season, or a sudden gust of wind may destroy the expec- 

 tations of a year. The branches of the Dahlia are extremely 

 brittle, and, therefore, a good stout pole, or neat stake, should 

 be driven down near each root, of a suitable height, so that 

 the branches as they progress in growth, may be tied thereto 

 at every joint, which may be done with shreds of matting or 

 twine. Ifthe poles bain readiness, they are much more easily- 

 fixed at the time of planting the Dahlias than afterwards ; but 



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