86 The Amateur's Book of the Dahlia 



in a strong galvanized staple. This is to hold 

 the label bearing the name of the variety of dah- 

 lia planted at its foot. Chestnut is tough, and 

 is cheap in most localities; the creosote stain, if 

 applied each year, protects against the weather; 

 and the tar guards against rot in the ground. 

 Such stakes will last five years or more, are quite 

 inconspicuous when the dark stain is used, and 

 are strong enough to hold the plants against 

 severe gales. 



Another method of staking when plants do 

 not grow to great height is by means of ordinary 

 wooden laths. Two are tied together at one 

 end and again about ten inches below. The 

 other ends are pointed, separated, and forced ten 

 inches into the ground on either side of the 

 young plant. The farther the laths are sepa- 

 rated, the better is the central stalk thus sup- 

 ported until it reaches sufficient height to be 

 tied where the two laths have been fastened to- 

 gether. This is the cheapest method which is 

 successful, but unless long and heavy laths can 

 be procured, is not sufficiently strong to support 

 the taller varieties. 



Stakes should be placed no less than three 

 feet apart. Some varieties of dahlias are so 

 spreading in habit that four or five feet are 

 required to give them proper space to develop. 



