FLOWER-GARDENING. 73 



PROPAGATING DOUBLE DAHLIAS FROM SEED. 



As some amateurs are apt to fancy that the most economical 

 method of obtaining a supply of Dahlias in their gardens is to 

 raise them from seed, it may be necessary to remind such, that 

 the trouble and expense of raising any quantity of seedlings 

 is equal to that attending the cultivation of the same number 

 of the choicest varieties ; and when it is considered that the 

 greatest proportion of a plantation may be single and semi- 

 double, and that but few double-flowering plants can be 

 expected, equal to those above described, it must appear evi- 

 dent that it is the interest of such persons as desire to have 

 their gardens unencumbered with plants, that are not calcu- 

 lated to ornament the same, to procure plants, or roots, of such 

 varieties as have been tested, and highly recommended, as is 

 the case with all those described in the preceding Catalogue, 

 and also those which are generally sold by the regular florists. 

 But as I am writing for young gardeners, it may be necessary 

 to state, that although new varieties are usually raised from 

 seed of the finest double flowers, some successful propagators 

 prefer that procured from semi-double varieties. Sow seed 

 towards the last of March, in pots, and plunge them in a mode- 

 rate hot-bed ; or seed may be deposited in the earth of the 

 beds, in shallow drills. 



Nothing is more simple than the cultivation of Dahlia roots. 

 In March or April, they will, if properly kept through the 

 winter, begin to sprout around the old steins and tubers. To 

 forward these sprouts in growth, the roots should either be 

 buried in light earth, on the top of a moderate hot-bed, or else 

 potted, and then set in a warm room, or green-house, and 

 watered. As soon as the shoots have grown to the length of 

 two or three inches, the roots may be divided in such a man- 

 ner as to have a strong shoot attached to a piece of the tuber, 

 or old stem. Each of these will, if properly managed, make a 

 plant. Those who may commence cultivating at an early 



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