Planting, Staking, and Fertilizing 87 



In early spring, when the bare brown earth is 

 so scantily dotted with the stakes, and the tiny 

 green shoots look so frail, it seems incredible 

 that it is necessary to set them out so far apart. 

 One year's experience, however, will teach any 

 one to measure those three feet carefully, adding 

 a few inches just for good measure. 



Everywhere in our hot, dry climate dahlias 

 should be planted deep. Dig a hole close to the 

 stake at least eight inches down. Let there be 

 no manure or fertilizer where the tuber is to go, 

 and if it is a delicate one, place a little extra sand 

 at the bottom for drainage. Lay the tuber in 

 a horizontal position ; with the eye or shoot fac- 

 ing up and as close to the stake as possible, 

 scattering lightly over it enough soil to cover an 

 inch or two deep. All dahlia tubers in a clump 

 radiate horizontally from the main stalk, and 

 this demand from the tuber at planting time 

 must be complied with or there will be no bush. 



If the eye faces downward when planted, the 

 shoot will grow just the same, and Nature tells 

 it to turn around, doubling upward to reach the 

 air. It makes little or no difference in the re- 

 sulting plant so far as the following summer is 

 concerned, but after digging the clump one 

 readily sees trouble ahead when the time comes 

 to separate the tubers. The stalk has twisted 



