160 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



desired, but Dahlias are hardly suitable for association 

 with hardy plants. Apart from the fact that their great 

 mass of succulent shoots renders them somewhat incon- 

 gruous, there is the fact that they are such gross feeders, 

 and require so much room, that other occupants of the 

 border fare badly. 



Staking. It is a good plan to make the holes and 

 drive the stakes in before the plants are ready. The 

 stakes should be at least six feet long, so that they 

 can be driven in eighteen inches deep, and still leave a 

 good length above ground. They should be sound and 

 strong, as the plants will need to be tied securely. The 

 stakes may look a little unsightly for a short time, but 

 the plants will soon hide them. Small pots stuffed with 

 hay may be inverted on them later to serve as traps 

 for earwigs, which often do great damage. 



Large double, Paeony-flowered, single and Cactus 

 Dahlias should all be planted in hollows five feet apart, 

 but four feet will suffice for the Pompons. A ring of lime 

 or soot should be put round them to keep slugs away. 



The plants should be tied to the stakes directly they 

 begin to sway, and later on the side shoots should be 

 tied also. It may be possible to secure the latter to 

 the large stake ; if not, smaller ones must be driven 

 down in convenient positions. The tying is particularly 

 important to exhibition growers, as it prevents crowding, 

 exposes the shoots to the sun, and insures fine flowers. 

 If the side shoots come very thickly, they should be 

 thinned, some being cut out altogether. Half-a-dozen 

 branches will be enough for each plant. 



For Exhibition. The exhibitor will have to protect 

 his flowers. Dealers in garden sundries supply muslin 

 cones made to slide on stakes, and these can be fitted 

 above the blooms. But growers can easily make their 



