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Gardening for Amateurs 



Dahlias for the Garden 



THE Dahlia is one of the most popular 

 half-hardy flowers, and deservedly 

 so, for the plants produce quantities 

 of blossoms from late in June or early 

 July until they are cut down by frost. 

 In small gardens they are usually planted 

 singly or in small groups in the flower 

 border, but in those of fair extent bor- 

 ders or beds on the lawn are often given 

 up to them, with remarkably successful 

 results, owing to the variety in flower and in 

 vigour of growth represented by the various 

 types. The Dahlia is easily grown, and is 

 essentially a plant for the amateur ; it is also 

 well suited to the town and suburban garden. 

 A few years ago there was a general outcry 

 against the newer Dahlias, particularly those 

 of the Cactus type, most of which were 

 useless as decorative plants in the garden. 

 They were suitable only for exhibition, and 

 though individually the flowers were most 

 attractive the plants were not free-flowering, 

 the flower stems were weak, and ample foliage 

 hid the earlier blooms. In the present-day 

 race of garden Dahlias, however, all this is 

 changed. There are varieties to suit all 

 tastes and fancies, from the little Tom Thumb 

 sorts, 18 inches high, to the Giant Paeony- 

 flowered varieties, some of which in good soil 

 reach a height of 7 or 8 feet. 



There are no difficult problems in the 

 cultivation of Dahlias. The plants like a 

 deeply dug rich soil. If rather heavy, dig 

 the ground over several times in winter, 

 leaving it rough, and working in wood ashes 

 and leaf -mould. Cow manure improves light 

 soil. 



Dahlias from Cuttings. Dahlias are 

 propagated in spring chiefly from cuttings, 

 also by division of the roots or tubers and by 

 seeds. The best means of obtaining cuttings 

 is to start the tubers into growth in a warm 

 greenhouse during February and March. 

 Detach the shoots when about 2 inches long, 

 insert in pots of sandy soil, placing in a closed 

 propagating frame, or on a hot-bed, where 

 they will soon root. In two or three weeks 

 the cuttings will be ready to pot off singly 

 in 2^-inch pots ; a little later they are repotted 



into 5-inch pots, and subsequently placed 

 in a cold frame. During May the plants are 

 gradually " hardened off," ready for plant- 

 ing out of doors during the first few days of 

 June. If flowers are required for exhibition 

 the plants should always be propagated from 

 cuttings. For garden decoration, and to 

 supply cut flowers for the home, the old roots 

 may be divided into two or three pieces, 

 according to their size, and planted out of 

 doors early in May, or they may first be 

 started into growth under glass, which is pre- 

 ferable. These plants will send up a number 

 of shoots, but not more than three or four 

 should be allowed to grow. 



Sowing Dahlia Seeds. Sow Dahlia seeds 

 in a greenhouse during February or early 

 March, pot the seedlings singly in small pots 

 when about 2 inches high, and treat as advised 

 for the rooted cuttings. Seedling Dahlias as 

 a rule produce quantities of flowers, but it 

 is only occasionally that the blooms are equal 

 to named sorts in good form, colour, and 

 size. It is, however, from seeds (except 

 when a variety " sports ") that new and im- 

 proved sorts are obtained, and raising seed- 

 lings provides interesting occupation and 

 offers no difficulty. If it is desired to raise 

 improved sorts flowers of the best named 

 sorts must be chosen and cross-fertilised and 

 seed saved. Mark the promising seedlings 

 when they are in flower, lift and store the 

 roots in late autumn, with the view of giving 

 them a further trial. 



To supply the enormous demand for Dahlia 

 plants nurserymen adopt two methods of 

 distribution. Large quantities are rooted 

 from cuttings, and grown during the summer 

 in small pots. These, when at rest in winter, 

 can be readily sent by parcel post to any part 

 of the world. The second method is to sell 

 rooted cuttings or small plants in April. 

 When the dormant roots arrive they should 

 be potted up and grown with care in a light 

 greenhouse, or failing this a frame. Small 

 plants in pots are sent in flat boxes by carrier 

 or railway. On arrival it is usually desirable 

 to pot them into larger pots, placing them in 

 a cold frame, where by the time it is safe to 



