THE DAHUA. 27 



Watering. This is a debatable subject, and although a judicious appli- 

 cation of water during a severe dry spell is very beneficial, yet in nine cases 

 out of every ten where water is applied a thorough stirring of the surface 

 soil would give better results. Not that I am opposed to watering where it 

 can be done thoroughly and conveniently, but it is much better and easier to 

 save the moisture already in the soil, than it is to put moisture in the soil 

 artificially after nature's supply has been wasted. The soil acts as capillary 

 tubes, thus drawing the moisture to the surface where, if unchecked, it is 

 rapidly evaporated. If the surface is stirred this waste is prevented, as the 

 dry loose soil completely seals those small tubes, and the moisture is held in 

 reserve beneath until it is required and removed by the plant. It is really 

 astonishing how long Dahlias will withstand the drought if they are not 

 planted too closety and the soil is properly stirred. 



The summer and autumn of 1895 was one of the dryest on record ; 

 there being after July 4th but two showers July 2oth and 28th respectively 

 until October, and during this period there was at no time sufficient rain- 

 fall to lay the dust. Despite this extreme drouth, Dahlias given the treat- 

 ment herein described bloomed freely throughout, as may be seen from the 

 illustrations contained in this book. These illustrations were reproduced 

 from photographs taken right out in a ten acre field, September 28th 1895, 

 after nine weeks of continuous drouth. This field of Dahlias was grown 

 under the new system, as described in this chapter, without staking or 

 watering, and was pronounced by many to be a signal triumph of science 

 and skill over adverse conditions. 



This instance proves how easily Dahlias may be grown, without the 

 labor and expense of staking and watering, during the most trying season 

 ever experienced. Not but what watering, at least, would have been bene- 

 ficial ; but it would have been worse than folly to have dreamed of watering 

 a ten acre field in New Jersey, with nothing but a windmill to pump the 

 water and not enough wind to run it. 



Many people believe Dahlias should be watered every evening, and as soon 

 as they are up commence watering them daily unless it rains. This practice 

 is very injurious as it causes a rapid, but soft, growth ; and, as the soil is 

 seldom stirred, the roots become so enfeebled for want of air that they are 

 unable to supply the needs of the plant ; as a consequence, but few buds are 

 formed and they generally blast before developing into flowers. 



In other cases, as the enthusiasm wears off, watering is stopped, probably, 

 right at the beginning of a severe drouth, and the weak, pampered plants 

 are fortunate to survive, much less bloom. 



If large, strong roots are planted and the soil is kept thoroughly stirred, 

 there will be little need of artificial watering until after the plants come out 

 in full bloom. However, if it should become hot and dry after } r our Dahlias 



