82 GLADIOLUS, CORN FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 



these circumstances, I think early in June the safest time to 

 set out Dahlia plants ; and if those persons who have no con- 

 venience of forcing their roots, set them out in May, in 

 ground prepared as before directed, they will generally suc- 

 ceed very well, provided they take care to cover them incase 

 of a cold change of weather. The roots may be thus cul- 

 tivated entire, as is frequently done ; but if it be desired to 

 have them parted, this business can be easily accomplished 

 without disturbing the roots, and the offsets may be planted 

 in the ground seperately or potted. 



Previous to setting out the plants, it will be necessary to 

 provide for their preservation through the varied changes of 

 the season, or a sudden gust of wind may destroy the expec- 

 tations of a year. The branches of the Dahlia are extremely 

 brittle, and, therefore, a good stout pole, or neat stake, should 

 be driven down near each root, of a suitable height, so that 

 the branches as they progress in growth, may be tied thereto 

 at every joint, which may be done with shreds of matting or 

 twine. If the poles be in readiness, they are much more easily 

 fixed at the time of planting the Dahlias than afterwards ; but 

 it may be done at any time after the ground has been soft- 

 ened by rain, provided it be not delayed too long, so as to 

 subject the plants to risk. Sometimes a few forward buds 

 of the Dahlias will exhibit their premature beauties to the 

 beams of a July and August sun ; but their lustre is quickly 

 dimmed. The latter end of September, sometimes all Oc- 

 tober, and part of November, witness the Dahlia in all its 

 glory ; and dwarf plants, cultivated in pots, will sometimes 

 blossom at Christmas ; but they require more than ordinary 

 care, at a late period of their growth. 



GLADIOLUS, CORN-FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 



Of this genus of bulbs there are about fifty species, natives 

 of the Cape of Good Hope. They produce flowers of 



