DAHLIA CUTTINGS IN POTS IN 

 A HOTBED 



THE DAHLIA 223 



cluster of tubers being grown as a separate plant. But a Belgian 

 florist discovered that if the "stools" were placed in heat in spring 

 buds would break from the neck, at the point where the tubers 

 were attached, and that if these were 

 allowed to develop into shoots about three 

 inches long, and then removed as cuttings, 

 strong plants could be made of them in 

 a few weeks. The plan speedily became 

 general, as a given variety could be in- 

 creased much more extensively by this 

 than the old means. When the young 

 shoot is removed it is not advisable to 

 take a portion of the old growth with it, 

 as that would prevent other shoots from 



following. The cuttings may be inserted singly in sandy soil in 

 small pots, and put in bottom heat if that is available, otherwise 

 in a greenhouse or frame. Those who have no glass may propa- 

 gate by the slower method of dividing 

 and planting the tubers. Dahlias may 

 be raised from seed, and flowered the 

 first year; singles are not infrequently 

 propagated in that way, but it will not 

 keep named varieties true to colour. 



Soil. It is well understood that it 

 is useless to grow Dahlias in poor, 

 shallow soil that is, if the best results 



A shows a cutting being prepared for inser- j /-\ i i_ 



tion ; B shows the cutting ready for are CXpCCted. One mUSt haVC HCh, 



deeply cultivated land. The objection 



may be urged against this that it induces the superabundant 

 growth which, in the Cactus varieties particularly, tends to the 

 flowers becoming half hidden ; but one must proceed very warily 

 in attempting to reduce growth by moderate cultivation it is so 

 easy to get to the other extreme. On the whole, it is best to 



DAHLIA CUTTINGS 



