Planting, Staking, and Fertilizing 85 



something within, and tells us that spring is 

 near, I make my planting scheme for the dahlia 

 garden. The list of roots which I had put to 

 bed in the storeroom three months ago is divided 

 into six colour classes: red, orange, yellow, pink, 

 white, and lavender. Lavender even on my list 

 is separated from the other colours by white. 

 To this list I add those which I have purchased 

 and those which my friends have given me. 

 Then on a rough map of the garden I arrange 

 the colours and, after studying their heights and 

 habits, place the named varieties. 



At our leisure, long before planting time, the 

 stakes are put in place; and since the soil is al- 

 ready prepared, all is plain sailing when the time 

 comes to put the dahlias in. My dahlias grow 

 tall. I do not pinch them out, as do nursery- 

 men, to avoid staking. I like to cut blooms with 

 stems three or four feet long that they may be 

 held aloft with the grace and dignity they deserve. 

 To this end staking is absolutely necessary. 



Buy from a local dealer 2x2 rough lumber in 

 twelve foot lengths of chestnut, if possible. 

 Cut these lengths in half and point one end of 

 each. Paint them with a dark green or brown 

 creosote stain, and dip the pointed end into 

 eighteen or more inches of heavy tar paint. At 

 about six inches from the top of each stake drive 



