PKOPAGATION OF THE DAHLIA 



UNDER this heading I will first deal with propagating 

 by cuttings from the roots that have been safely stored 

 during the winter. In private gardens, where the 

 quantity of plants required is not extensive, and the 

 room in spring-time is very limited, it is advisable to 

 pot up the roots early in February, using pots six or 

 seven inches in diameter. The roots will probably be 

 too large for the pots, in which case the tubers can be 

 reduced to the proper size by cutting (this can be 

 done quite safely without fear of their rotting). After 

 inserting the root, fill up the pot with soil, leaving the 

 crown of the root an inch or so clear of the soil, and 

 plunge in a bottom heat of about 70. 



Better than pots, for the old roots, if such con- 

 venience is to be obtained, is a propagating bed near 

 the glass or along the front of a vinery or plant 

 stove. A bed of soil can be made up and the roots 

 laid in, carefully attending to the labelling and treating 

 as recommended for the roots in pots. 



In from seven to nine days the eyes will begin 

 to swell, then give a good soaking of water of the 

 same temperature as the house. In about fourteen 

 days from first submitting the root to heat, the 

 shoots will have grown about three inches in length. 



28 



