256 PLANT CULTURE 



Typical examples: Maurice Rivoire, Souvenir de Chabanne, 

 Diadem, Orphee, Madame Poirier and Albert Maumene. 



8. Anemone-flowered Dahlias 

 Flowers with one row of large floral rays (petals) like 



single Dahlias, but with each disk flower producing small, tubular 



petals. 



Includes such forms as those of Graziella, Mme. Chas. Molin, 



Claude Barnard and Mme. Pierre Dupont. 



9. Other Sections 

 Miniature or Pompon Cactus : Small-flowered, stellate, fine- 

 petaled Cactus Dahlias represented by Tomtit, Mary, Nora, 

 Minima. MiGNON OR TOM THUMB : Dwarf, bushy, single flowered 

 Dahlias for edging. Typical example: Jules Closson. Bedding 

 Dahlias: A taller, more upright type than the Tom Thumb. 

 Typical examples: Barlow's Bedder and Midget Improved. 

 Cockade or Zonal Dahlias: Singleor collarette Dahlias, with 

 three distinct bands of color about center. Type hardly known in 

 America, but includes forms such as those of Cockade Espagnole. 



Culture and Propagation. The soil should be very rich and 

 light, and if the plants are put in positions where it is inconvenient 

 to water them during dry weather they should get a mulching of 

 half-decayed stable bedding. Although the kinds are perpetuated 

 by division, grafting and cuttings, the latter method is the one best 

 suited for raising large quantities of young plants. The roots are 

 brought into heat about the ist of March, covered over with some 

 light soil, and encouraged to make growth by frequent syringing. 

 As soon as the shoots are 3 or 4 inches long, separate from the 

 parent, taking them with a heel. They can then either be put singly 

 in small pots and kept close and warm until rooted, or put in an 

 ordinary propagating bed with a bottom heat of 75 degrees. The 

 sand need not be kept very moist, but the atmosphere should con- 

 tain enough moisture to prevent wilting. As soon as weather per- 

 mits the plants should be put out in a frame to harden. 



They may be planted into the open ground when the frosts are 

 safely past and the soil has warmed. There is nothing gained by 

 planting in a cold, water soaked soil. The larger growing sorts are 

 best planted 4x4 feet and the tubers are set about 4 inches deep. 

 Some support should be supplied the plants in their early stages 

 of growth. Each tuber makes several growths which may be al- 

 lowed to grow until several leaves have formed, after which the 



