Frosts; Lifting and Storing 117 



to dry. If the soil around them is clean and 

 healthy it may be allowed to remain, but if of 

 a clayey substance which holds moisture, it 

 should be removed; otherwise decay will surely 

 set in during the winter. 



In a few days, or a week, perhaps, the time 

 has come to put them away for their long win- 

 ter's sleep. 



People differ greatly on the best way to keep 

 dahlia roots. During the past twelve years I have 

 taken everyone's advice tried every method 

 suggested, lost many valuable roots, and come 

 back to my own conclusions. 



There are two things essential in the keeping 

 of the roots : In the first place, every root must 

 be absolutely sound before it is put away. Ex- 

 amine it carefully, and if a spot of decay is found 

 on any part, that piece must be cut away. Dust 

 the wound with powdered sulphur or slaked 

 lime, and no harm will be done. Every house- 

 wife, especially since the war, has learned that 

 the tiniest decayed spot on a vegetable to be 

 canned will decay the whole jarful in short 

 order. So it is with a spotted dahlia root. The 

 spores increase; they travel through whatever 

 covering material is used, come in contact with 

 a neighbouring clump, and destroy it. By the 

 end of winter not only the original clump, but 



