74 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



that it may not begin to rot and communicate disease in a 

 manner to destroy the whole. Another method is to preserve 

 the roots, after their being dried, in boxes of dry sand, or 

 placing them in a cellar or other room, where they are secure 

 from the frost. The roots of Dahlias should be wintered in 

 a situation where they are not too warm, cold, or moist. 

 When kept too warm, the eyes are liable to start into growth 

 at an early, unnatural season, when the sun and air cannot 

 have effect to mature the young shoots, in a healthy vigorous 

 manner ; if kept in a situation where the roots are frozen, it 

 is certain they will be lost; if too wet, it is probable they will 

 be rotted ; and if too dry, the tubers will shrivel up. A 

 moderate heat, from 35 to 45, in a situation where the sur- 

 rounding air is not too moist, or dry, is the most favorable 

 place for preserving the roots of the Dahlia during the winter. 



ART. 2. Descriptive List of Double Dahlias. 

 The plants described in the subjoined list, were selected in 

 the flowering season from the best collections of the present 

 year ; and are kinds which produce fine flowers of their color 

 and free bloomers. The list is more limited than might be 

 expected, but it will be seen that the number of varieties will 

 be sufficient for small collections. To the connoisseur, it 

 would be an arduous task to point out the many new varieties 

 that are yearly introduced, and which can only be designated 

 by referring to numerous catalogues : the list here presented 

 has, therefore, been chosen from the best known varieties, 

 adapted to the purpose of private collections. I have omitted 

 the time of flowering, which will entirely depend on circum- 

 stances. Those designated thus * are old varieties, retained 

 as free bloomers, and are adapted to small gardens. 



