1 8 THE DAHLIA. 



They are then planted in a pot deep enough to cover the lower part of the 

 graft with earth, and they will soon adhere if placed under a hand glass or 

 in a frame. But as grafting has no advantages over the ordinary mode of 

 propagation by cuttings it is seldom practiced. 



By Seeds. Though many grow Dahlias from seed instead of planting 

 roots, yet seeds are generally planted to produce new varieties only. This 

 being the case, the matter will be fully treated in another chapter under the 

 head of new varieties. 



Excessive Propagation. I know of no other name for it, and must say 

 that whoever is guilty of it is doing a great deal of harm to Dahlia culture. 

 By excessive propagation is meant the forcing under glass, not only of the 

 roots, but plants grown from the roots, often two or three times removed. 

 In this way many good varieties are so run down that they come absolutely 

 single, and it takes a year or two for them to recover their old time vigor. 

 Especially do florists make a mistake in forcing their new introductions in this 

 way, as they always lose in the end. 



A number of years ago, a firm in England introduced a very fine Dahlia, 

 and to meet the enormous demand the stock was forced under great heat ; 

 as a result the cuttings were so weak that they made poor, delicate plants, 

 and the few flowers produced had large open centres, many being almost 

 perfectly single. Consequently every one was disappointed and considerable 

 money was refunded. Now mark the sequel. The next year the flowers 

 came perfectly double again, but it was too late for the introducers ; they 

 had paid the penalty of their excessive greed. 



There are many reasons why these facts should be known by all who 

 grow Dahlias, though the main reason is that every variety will be grown at 

 least two years, and not discarded because they fail to come perfectly full the 

 first year. Had this fact been universally known, it would have saved con- 

 siderable loss and disappointment, as, undoubtedly, many sorts discarded in 

 the past were really fine varieties. Therefore, if you purchase a new highly 

 praised variety and it should not answer quite to the description, do not con- 

 demn it too soon but grow it at least two more years. During this time it 

 will, if properly cultivated, show its true characteristics ; and if it still proves 

 inferior write to the source from which it was secured, making your com- 

 plaints. 



If this practice of waiting a year or two was always followed, many 

 complaints would never be written at all, as varieties are very apt to vary 

 under different conditions and according to the seasons. A variety may be 

 pure white this year, yet come tinted pink next, and visa versa. As an 

 example, I will mention the Decorative- Cactus Dahlia " Nymphaea." 

 This variety, under favorable conditions, is of a beautiful, clear, light 

 shrimp pink color, and has a delicate refined Water I^ily fragrance, but is 



