THE DAHLIA^ 281 



Alphonse Bouvier, Explorateur Crampbel, Egandale, 

 Geoffrey St. Hilliare, J. D. Cabos, Paul Marquant and 

 Pres. Carnot. 



THE DAHLIA. 



This old faTorite is again becoming the fashion, and 

 even now is usurping the attention that has for some 

 years been given the sweet pea. The single sorts may 

 be grown successfully from seed, but for the double vari- 

 eties it is better to rely upon cuttings of the stem, or 

 division of the roots. The cuttings root readily in sand, 

 and if started early will give good results. In dividing 

 the roots, it is necessary that there should be a bud at 

 the end of each. The operation can be most readily per- 

 formed if the stools are slightly started into growth be- 

 fore the division is made. 



Dahlias like a d,eep, rich, moist and rather heavy 

 soil, and in few plants will a little extra labor in the 

 preparation of the soil be better repaid. An excess of 

 nitrogenous manure should be avoided, as it will give a 

 rank growth of leaves and few flowers, while a sandy soil 

 is likely — owing to its usual deficiency in plant food and 

 moisture — to give rather small plants upon a few small 

 roots, and with undersized flowers. If moisture and 

 plant food are provided, excellent results can be secured 

 upon a sandy loam soil. The plants should be set in the 

 beds as soon as danger of frost is over. They will be 

 best in rows, if a large number are to be grown, and 

 ■with a large collection it will be well to have them far 

 enough apart to admit of cultivating them with a 

 horse. Owing to their love of moisture, it is very desir- 

 able in dry summers that the surface of the soil be 

 kept loose to the depth of two inches, to lessen the 

 amount of evaporation. 



As commonly grown, allowing them to form shoots 

 freely, most varieties require staking to prevent tbe 



