80 GARDEN GUIDE 



doubt the best Dahlias we have ever seen were in British Columbia, 

 Northern* California, Washington and Oregon. Heavy soils may be 

 lightened by coal ashes. Sand and lighter soils will benefit by manure 

 to make them more moisture-retaining. Nitrogenous fertilizers are 

 rarely applied, because they cause too great vegetative growth and a 

 retarding of the flowering period. 



STARTING THE TUBERS. The tubers should be started about 

 April 1st in a warm, light room, merely placing them in a shallow box 

 of sand or light soil. When the young shoots begin to show, they 

 should be so cut that one or two eyes are allowed to remain on each 

 piece; the eyes start from the collar (see page 201). 



Hedge of Dahlias and typical home in Victoria, B. C. . 



TIME AND DISTANCE OF PLANTING. They may be planted late 

 in April or May, according to the season. It is better to set them out 

 late than too early. As the Dahlia makes a large plant it should be 

 given plenty of room; even four feet by four feet is not too much if 

 the variety is a large one. Planted much closer the plants are difficult 

 to tend. 



SUPPORTING. Use some method of support immediately when 

 the plants are set so that they may be " brought up in the way they 

 should go " from the very start. The average root will make several 

 shoots. Allow them to grow until they make the first set of leaves; 

 by that time the strongest can be selected and the others cut away be- 

 low the surface of the soil. Sometimes two shoots may be allowed to 

 grow, but never more; as a rule one shoot is sufficient. Tie the 

 shoot to the stake when about a foot high and do not neglect tying 

 as the plant develops, for this is very important. 



