Planting, Staking, and Fertilizing 83 



wintering over. The bushes are hurried in their 

 growth and blooms are forced before tubers of 

 sufficient size are developed and there is noth- 

 ing left to "carry on." 



I have found that dahlia plants when six to 

 twelve inches high can withstand the heat and 

 drought of June far better than those of larger 

 size and active growth. They can quickly as- 

 similate the water given them and with fewer 

 and smaller leaves to support do not suffocate 

 so easily. They soon catch up after the thun- 

 derstorms of July and August commence, and 

 by September, when dahlias can give the needed 

 colour in the garden and when the blooms are 

 desired for the shows, the plants are in their full 

 glory. 



In the New England States and northward 

 there is still another condition which controls 

 planting time. There the growing season covers 

 but four months or less. Spring frosts may be 

 expected up to early June, and the killing frosts 

 come in mid-September. No serious heat and 

 drought may be expected during the summer, so 

 that in order to produce flowers in August and 

 early September an early start is necessary. 



Just as young dahlia plants can better with- 

 stand heat and drought, so can they better 

 withstand light frosts. Little plants six or eight 



