68 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



shaped piece from the tuber it is desired to use and 

 insert the shoot; place in the ground and draw the 

 earth up firmly about the shoot ; it will make as good 

 a plant as though grown from the tuber in the origi- 

 nal way. 



Dahlias require rich soil and abundance of water, 

 especially when producing their flowers. They also 

 require very substantial support, as they are easily 

 broken by wind, and even by a heavy rainfall when 

 in full foliage. A five-foot stake is none too long, and 

 a six-foot one still better, and it should be stout in 

 proportion and firmly set in the ground. It is well 

 to set the stake at the same time, or soon after the 

 plant is set, as the dahlia makes a whorl of big 

 fleshy tubers, and if one waits until the stake is needed 

 it will be difficult to set it close enough to the plant 

 to support it without injuring the roots; when set 

 with the plant, tying can commence as soon as the 

 plant is a foot or more high, and proceed as growth 

 progresses. 



A mulch of old manure or lawn clippings about 

 the plants after they have set their buds will be of 

 much benefit, especially if the plants are where they 

 will not be disturbed by chickens scratching the mulch 

 off the ground. Lawn clippings make an ideal mulch 

 when undisturbed, and should be placed four inches 

 deep to start with and added to as they wither. If 

 left undisturbed they will (settle into a close mat 



