406 THE PLEASURE, OR [MAY 



let them be immediately rubbed off, that the whole nourishment may 

 go to the support of the scions. 



The trees which were budded last summer must also be carefully 

 and frequently looked over, and all improper shoots rubbed off. 



As the shoots from the inoculations advance in growth, they 

 should be tied gently to the spurs, left for that purpose at the time 

 of heading the stocks, that they may not be broken off by winds or 

 other accidents. 



SEEDLINGS IN POTS OR TUBS. 



The pots and tubs of the more rare and delicate seedling plants 

 should now be kept constantly in the shade where they may have 

 only the morning sun till nine or ten o'clock, and that of the after- 

 noon, after four; they must be frequently watered and kept free from 

 weeds. A little earth sifted over them, as directed for other seed- 

 lings, will be of great service. 



THE PLEASURE, OR FLOWER GARDEN. 



DAHLIAS, OR GEORGIANS.* 



Of this beautiful plant there is an endless variety ; they are ori- 

 ginally a native of Me'xico, where they grow in great quantities. 

 They were introduced into England in 1806, and were cultivated for 

 some time before any of the double varieties were obtained, which is 

 done by raising from seed. They generally produce seed, which is 

 sown and treated as other annuals, generally flowering the first season ; 

 but you cannot judge of the quality of a fine flower until the second 

 year ; sometimes those which produce single or semi-double flowers 

 the first season will give five double ones the second. 



They are also propagated by dividing the roots, and by cuttings 

 from the young shoots, which is the method employed to increase the 

 double varieties. The proper time to plant the roots is the beginning 

 of this month, and the plants about the .twentieth ; they will grow 

 and thrive in any common garden soil, but are much finer when culti- 

 vated in fresh loam well enriched by rotted stable manure and guano. 

 When you plant them it is necessary to place a good strong stake to 

 each, and, as they advance in growth, tie them up to it, to prevent 

 their being broken off by the wind. The dahlias vary in height from 

 two to eight feet, so that when they are planted it is necessary to 

 proportion the stake to the height of the plant, for it looks very awk- 

 ward to see a low growing plant with a tall stake. Through the sum- 



* The enthusiasm of florists has now brought this flower to perfection 

 in symmetry, and it forms an indispensable requisite to our flower gardens 

 in the fall months. There are all shades of color, excepting pure blue, from 

 a snowy whiteness, down to maroon black. 



