Cultivation of the Dahlia 47 



canvas over it, painting the canvas white, and fasten- 

 ing the frame to a stake either fixed, or so that it 

 will slide up and down ; this is a very cool arrange- 

 ment. Another way which helps to bring the flowers 

 more quickly to perfection is a tin or wood box with 

 a glass top. This must be securely fixed over the 

 flower, and the flower tied so that it will not rub 

 against the sides of the box. 



Some flowers, such as tipped or edged flowers, are 

 improved by a six or seven inch pot being inverted 

 over them, a week before the Show, on a wood frame 

 12 inches by 12. This can be made to slide up and 

 down a stake, or fixed ; the stem of the flower is inserted 

 into a slit to bring the bloom into the centre of the 

 board, and held there by a small wedge or tied to the 

 stake. 



Whatever means be adopted for protecting the 

 flower, the greatest care must be taken that it is 

 securely tied, to prevent the possibility of a strong 

 wind beating it against the protection, and so doing 

 more harm than good. 



LIFTING AND STORING 



This should be done in October, unless the plants 

 have been killed by frost before then. Early in 

 September the growing' plants should be carefully 

 gone over for the purpose of seeing that they are all 

 true to name, and a good wooden label with the name 

 indelibly written on it attached to each tied to the 

 top of the centre stake. It is not necessary to wait 

 until the plants are killed down by frost before lifting 

 the roots, nor is it advisable to do so if the season has 



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