DAHLIA. 



83 



light, rich or poor, there is no plant that more highly 

 appreciates good generous treatment. To produce good 

 double flowers in profusion, the soil must be strong, 

 deep and rich. The plant is a gross feeder and requires 

 plenty of light, room and air. With these requisites an 

 individual plant will yield an enormous number of flow- 

 ers, proportionata in size and 

 color. For exhibition flowers, 

 disbudding is necessary ; leave 

 but a single bud on a leading 

 branch, and, should the 

 weather be warm and dry, ar- 

 tificial watering will greatly 

 enhance the size and sub- 

 stance of the flower. The soil 

 should be worked often and 

 deep. The Dahlia is not a 

 weed, but a noble plant, and 

 as such should receive proper 

 attention. 



Propagation is effected in 

 the spring by division of the 

 tubers, which should be 

 started on wet moss or sand 

 about three weeks before it is 

 time for planting out in the 

 border. The eyes will develop 

 into sprouts ; then, with a 

 fine saw cut up the tubers, leaving but a single eye 

 cii each piece, as shown in the illustration, plant 

 in the same manner as the potato. For the rapid 

 increase of desired varieties for purposes of sale, the 

 tubers should be put in the propagating bench about the 

 first of January, and cuttings taken off when they have 

 made two joints ; these will root freely with slight bot- 

 tom heat. When nicely rooted pot off in thumb pots, 



SPROUTED DAHLIA TUBER. 



