Propagation of the Dahlia. 



177 



upon, preventing its entering the ground, however soft the same 

 may be ; whilst the same curvilinear form enables it to ride freely 

 (as the workmen term it), requiring but comparatively little force 

 to drive it: secondly, two knives accompany this implement, ofdif- 

 different lengths, which can be taken out and replaced in a few 

 seconds, by removing the bolt [h) ; thus enabling the workmen to 

 have the knives in good working order at all times : and, thirdly, 

 by the adjusting screw (c), placed at the back of the knife [d), it can 

 be set to cut any depth ; and, consequently, one great desideratum 

 is obtained, as any required thickness of turf can be taken up ; a 

 matter of much importance where very neat work is required. 



I have invariably found that one man, with the new turf- 

 racer, will race sufficient for six cutting-knives ; giving active em- 

 ployment to twelve persons, six men and six boys ; the latter to 

 roll up and pile the same. 



When turf is let out to be cut by the job by this racer, I give 

 sixpence per hundred turves, each 3 ft. in length, and 1 ft. in 

 breadth. I used to give, a few years back, one shilling for the 

 same quantity, and, in some instances, one shilling and sixpence. 

 Thus, a great saving is obtained by the introduction of this im- 

 plement, with some additional improvement in the form of the 

 turfing-knives. 



Ingress Park J Feb. 16. 1838. 



Art. IV. Remarks on the Propagation of the Dahlia. By George 

 A. Lake, F.L.S. Tulse Hill House. 



Every cultivator of the dahlia is aware of the facility with 

 which it is propagated by cuttings of the young shoots, plunged 

 in a little bottom heat. Indeed, from a single root, under 

 proper treatment, several dozens of young plants may be raised 

 in a short space of time. Consequently, this method is univer- 

 sally adopted by nurserymen ; they annually requiring a large 

 stock of young plants for sale ; and by individuals anxious to 

 propagate extensively a new variet}'. But it ought not to be 



Vol,. XIV. — No. 07. N 



