THE DAHLIA. 



39 



CHAPTER IX, 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



HILE a thorough stirring of the soil will generally give 

 better results than watering, in garden cultivation ; yet, 

 when Dahlias are planted near trees, hedges, or large 

 shrubs, they will require liberal watering, especially in 

 dry weather, as the roots of the trees and shrubs will 

 rob them of nature's supply of moisture. Specimen 

 plants on the lawn will also need watering during dry 



weather, and will well repay this extra attention with their wealth of bloom. 

 A very common, yet fatal, error, is to start the roots in a hot-bed and allow 

 the shoots to become a foot or more in height before planting on the lawn, 

 as a plant started this way will need staking, and will always have a top- 

 heavy appearance. A perfectly symmetrical Dahlia bush is one of the 

 loveliest plants for any open position on the grounds, and can be grown with 

 half the attention required by almost any other flower. 



It is best to prepare a circular bed, at least two feet in diameter, and 

 thoroughly stir the soil to the depth of eighteen inches to two feet. Plant 

 large roots six to eight inches deep, and, under the single stem branching 

 system (see figure 4, page 23,), the plant can be grown in any desired form, 

 by securing the branches to small supports. 



It is not generally known that Dahlias make beautiful pot plants, and 

 that, by feeding them properly with manure water, the}' fully equal the 

 Chrysanthemum as an exhibition plant. In growing plants in pots for exhi- 

 bition, give them plenty of air and sunshine, though as cool a position as 

 possible, and never allow them to suffer from lack of moistnre ; but, during 

 very hot weather, partially protect them from the intense mid-day sun, which 

 would injure the delicate petals, and in some cases cause the flowers to fade. 

 As the Dahlia is so free from insects and diseases, it was thought unneces- 

 sary to give the subject a separate chapter. Mildew is the only disease worth 

 mentioning, and is caused by climatic conditions and unfavorable positions. 

 Give your plants an open situation, and keep them in a growing condition 

 during dry weather by frequent stirring of the surface soil, or by a thorough 

 watering once each week during the drouth, and mildew will be unknown. 

 If your plants are badly effected they will never bloom, so cut them down to 

 the ground, when the}' will send up healthy shoots, and with proper attention, 

 bloom until frost. 



