PROPAGATION S9 



3d. Tlie color in itself should be dense and dear ; if in an edged 

 flower, concentrated and well denned ; and in both cases penetrating 

 through the petal with an appearance of substance and solidity. 



4th. Size must be comparative. 



PROPAGATION. 



THE Dahlia may be propagated from tubers, by slips or cuttings, or 

 from seed." 



Propagation from Seed. 



This method is now seldom practised, except by those who desire 

 to obtain new varieties by hybridising between two distinct species 

 or choice varieties. The proper time for sowing the seed is in March 

 or April, in light soil in shallow boxes or pans, which are placed in a 

 moderate hot bed to promote their germination ; though some florists 

 think that plants as vigorous,' if not more so, may be obtained from 

 seed sown in a warm and well-sheltered border toward the end of 

 April, or in the early part of May, provided the young plants are pro- 

 tected during the night and guarded from casual frosts ; or the seed 

 may be sown in pans in March in the house, and put out in the open 

 air on mild days, to accustom them to the external atmosphere. In 

 any treatment, when the seed leaves are fully developed, they must be 

 allowed plenty of fresh air, or placed in a cold frame, taking care that 

 they are put as near as possible to the glass, to prevent their being 

 drawn and growing lanky ; they may also be potted singly, or three 

 or four together, as soon as they will bear handling. When they 

 have four leaves, they may be treated in every respect as old plants 

 and from the twentieth of May to the middle of June, they may be 

 planted where it is intended they should flower. 



Seed Gathering. The seed should be collected in Sef tember from 

 dwarf plants, where no preference exists on other accounts ; and, when 

 double varieties are principally sought for, from semi-double flowers. 

 Seeds procured from those florets, which have changed their form, are 



