Hi : A- 



some varieties always producing large and others small flowers, the small or medium being 

 usually the most perfect, and the largest often somewhat coarse. Purchasers oi Dahlias usually 



obtain the tubers for planting, because they 

 are more safely transported than plants, and 

 the appearance of these tubers will be seen by 

 the little engraving of the Dahlia root. Buds 

 are found at the neck of the tubers and these 

 form the plants. Put the tubers in the ground 

 when the season becomes warm, covering the 

 neck some three inches. If many shoots start, 

 thin them out. There is no necessity for plant- 

 ing the Dahlia early, as it is an autumn flower, 

 and seldom gives good blossoms until the 

 nights are somewhat cool. After flowering, 

 and before hard frosts, take up the bulbs, dry 

 them a little, remove the tops, and store in 

 the cellar until spring, when they can be 

 divided and re-planted. The size of the tuber 

 has no influence on the strength of the plant or 

 the beauty of the flower; all the tuber is needed 

 for is to sustain the young shoot until it can 

 take root and obtain its own support. Florists 

 usually place the tubers in a hot-bed early in the spring, and as fast as the young shoots get a few 

 inches of growth, take them off and pot them, 



when, everything being favorable, each one will >a ESS^ tt&d' i itF 



root and make a good plant. They are often sold K-><^ 



in this way, especially new and scarce varieties. 

 The tall growing plants require staking, if grow- 

 ing in exposed situations, or they are often broken 

 by the wind. The Dahlia is divided into three 

 pretty distinct classes, the first being the largest 

 and most important, as follows : Show Dahlia, 

 growing from three to four feet in height, and 

 embracing all our finest sorts, fit for exhibiting at 

 horticultural shows, from which the name is 

 derived; the flowers ranging in size from two 

 and a half to four 

 inches in diameter. 

 The Dwarf or Bed- 

 ding Dahlia grows about eighteen inches in height, and makes 

 a thick, compact bush, and covers a good deal of surface. Flowers of 

 the size of Show Dahlias. They are therefore very desirable for bed- 

 ding and massing. The Pompon or Bouquet Dahlia makes a pretty, 

 compact plant, about three feet 

 in height. The leaves are small, 

 and the flowers from one to two : 

 inches in diameter. Many expect 

 to find small flowers on their Dwarf 

 Dahlias, and feel disappointed 

 because they are of the ordinary 

 size, not knowing that it is the plant, 

 and not the flower that is dwarfed, 

 and that only the Pompon gives the 

 small flowers. The striped and 

 mottled and spotted flowers belonging to the Show section are called Fancy, and though not as 

 rich and usually as highly prized as the selfs, or those of one color, are very attractive. 



Ill 



POMPON DAHLIA. 



DAHLIA ROOT. 



