4O The Dahlia 



be transferred to the larger pot without perceptible 

 damage to the plant. 



Potting over, place the plants again in bottom heat, 

 either in a pit or in a frame the latter is better, as it 

 encourages root action, while the plants can be more 

 or less exposed to the air whenever the weather is 

 suitable. Warmth at the root and comparative cool- 

 ness above are the conditions which will best ensure 

 their giving a good account of themselves in their 

 future stages of development. 



Careful attention to watering, airing, and protecting 

 from frost and insects will occupy the enthusiast up 

 till the last week in May, or the first week in June. 

 By that time the plants will have been hardened off 

 by the gradual removal of the lights and the with- 

 drawal of all bottom heat for at least a week, and will 

 be ready to be put out into their more permanent 

 quarters. 



PLANTING OUT 



It is not safe to plant out until all danger from 

 frost is over. As the time when this is the case 

 varies in different districts, each grower must be 

 guided by circumstances ; but if he will accept advice, 

 he will err on the safe side, as Dahlias do not grow 

 much out of doors until well on in June. 



Dahlia growers, like doctors, differ in their opinions. 

 Some advocate very wide planting as the best method 

 of courting success others succeed whose rule is very 

 elose planting. Both systems may be quite correct, 

 It is well to be governed by the space at the disposal 

 of the grower, and to some extent by the probable size 

 of the plants. Where space is not limited, and a plot 



