78 The Amateur's Book of the Dahlia 



possible. Never let the fibrous roots become 

 crowded in the pot. Shift to larger pots before 

 this happens. By giving them plenty of root 

 space and causing them to grow slowly above 

 ground, the tubers will form early. Protect 

 against the hot sun, but do not allow the air 

 about the plants to become stagnant. Remove 

 the shade as soon as the sun drops. 



An excellent shade for dahlias in the cold 

 frame is a piece of the very coarsest and most 

 open weave burlap, six feet wide and about 

 eight feet long. Tack this at even distances 

 upon three or four laths or strips of wood a few 

 inches longer than the width of the burlap, and 

 fasten a heavier strip of wood at each end. The 

 laths will lie across the cold frame, holding the 

 burlap in place so it will not sag. When not in 

 use, it can be rolled up into a small bundle and 

 laid beside the frame. 



By the end of May the plants will be large 

 enough to be set out in the garden. They may 

 be planted in exactly the same manner as plants 

 made from cuttings, and cultivated like any 

 dahlia. It is not necessary, however, to plant 

 them more than two feet apart. There are 

 always "rogues" to pull up as soon as the first 

 bloom opens, leaving plenty of room between 

 the plants for full development. 



