IN CALIFORNIA 113 



stiff blooms of the old form will hardly recognize it 

 in the unique, artistic and showy blooms of the 

 "cactus" and decorative types. They are both sin- 

 gle and double and in all shades. The old stiff forms 

 have given way to loose, fantastic shapes. New ir- 

 regular and esthetic varieties now originated and 

 being introduced have redeemed the dahlia and 

 made it one of the most popular garden flowers. 

 Every conceivable color and shade of color from 

 pure white to almost black is now represented. 



Not all dahlias require like treatment, and in 

 some situations and soils a few will be found to 

 behave rather indifferently. It is best to grow a 

 wide range for the first two years and at the end 

 of that time discard those that do not produce abun- 

 dantly and satisfactorily. It is well to make two 

 or three plantings of dahlias if you succeed in hold- 

 ing the roots dormant until quite late in the spring. 

 Often the season has much to do with excellence 

 of blossom, and if you have planted all at once, the 

 whole lot may turn out poorly. Dahlias are gross 

 feeders and should be well supplied with food and 

 drink, more especially from the time the buds show. 

 From this time until blooming season is over they 

 must never suffer for water. Planted in March 

 they will bloom profusely and continuously from 

 June till November. Any kind of soil suits them 

 provided it is moist and rich. Plant the roots about 

 six inches deep. When the shoots appear break off 

 all but the strongest one. When this has grown four 

 or five inches high pinch out the top or end it will 

 soon branch out after which fill in around the plant 

 with well-rotted manure. Treated in this way they 

 will grow strong and sturdy and resist high winds. 

 If you wish the finest flowers disbud freely, pinching 

 out all the buds except one on each stem. The im- 



