Cultivation of the Dahlia 39 



sist of two parts of good turfy loam, one of leaf mould, 

 and one of rotted manure with a dash of sand thrown 

 in. It will be all the better if it has been mixed some 

 time beforehand. The pots should be from two and a 

 half to three inches in diameter. Above the hole in 

 the bottom of the pot put a little piece of crock or 

 broken pot ; over this put a few pieces of fibrous soil ; 

 then take the plant in one hand and place it carefully 

 in the pot with its roots well spread out, while the 

 other is engaged in filling in the soil, which should be 

 made moderately firm. Be careful to insert the label 

 and place in a bottom heat, say from 60 to 70. 

 Syringe the leaves and shade from the sun for a day 

 or two, by which time the plant will have become 

 inured to its new quarters and will be making new 

 roots. 



If the plants have come to hand, by rail or other- 

 wise, in pots, unbroken by the journey, they must be 

 grown on in a temperature the same as that indicated 

 above, until the pots have become filled with roots. 



In both cases, when this happens, it is time to shift 

 them into four, five, or six inch pots according to the 

 wish and convenience of the grower. The soil already 

 described will be most suitable. New drainage will 

 be required. It is advisable to place the plant just 

 deep enough in the pot to allow the ball of earth 

 taken from the small pot to be covered with new soil. 

 The plants are most easily knocked out of the small 

 pots by taking the stem of the plant between the 

 fingers, inverting the pot, and giving the rim a gentle 

 tap on the edge of the potting bench. If the soil be 

 moderately moist, and the plant well rooted, the ball 

 of earth will remain whole, and in this state can 



