188 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



A commoner method of propagation is that illustrated in 

 Diagram 20. This depicts the proper way to take cuttings. 

 When the old stools are taken from their winter quarters they will 

 probably present a shrivelled-up appearance, as though all the life 

 had been dried out of them. Their owner must not, however, be 

 deceived by this. If he places them in a box, or on the greenhouse 

 bench above the hot-water pipes, scatters some fine soil loosely 

 round them, and sprinkles them at intervals with water through 

 a fine-rose can, the roots will speedily be restored to their wonted 

 condition of plumpness. In a few days strong young shoots will 

 be sent up from the crown of the tubers, and it is these which, with 

 proper treatment, will produce vigorous flowering plants during 

 the autumn. The cuttings should be detached from the tuber 

 when they are about three inches long, and be prepared as shown 

 in Figure 2. The stem must be cut through horizontally im- 

 mediately beneath a joint, from which in time the new roots will 

 be thrown out. Thus properly trimmed, the cutting should be 

 inserted in a thumb pot filled with sandy soil. 



For a day or two after the cuttings have been potted they will 

 probably present a very sorry appearance. They will be limp, 

 and will hang helplessly over the side of the pot. But this is only 

 a temporary relapse. If the warmth of the house or hot-bed 

 frame be well maintained for a time, the cuttings will soon recover 

 their erect and sprightly appearance, and will rapidly establish 

 themselves. Potting on will be necessary, as in the case of seed- 

 lings, so soon as the small pots are filled with roots, and their 

 transference to a cold frame to harden off should follow a month 

 or so later. The principal point to bear in mind is the need for 

 avoiding forcing methods. These will result in leggy growth, a 

 debilitated constitution, and poor flowers, whereas the aim should 

 be to produce sturdy plants by giving them all the fresh air that 

 is possible during the earlier stages of their growth. 



But it may be asked : " How can dahlias be propagated with- 

 out the aid of glass or artificial heat ? " The answer is, " By 

 division of the old tubers." If this plan be adopted, however, it 

 should not be put into operation until towards the end of April. 



