THE DAHLIA. 



47 



THE BALL AND DECORATIVE WERE PACKED IN BOTTOM AND CACTUS ON TOP 



NOTE PERFECT CONDITION 



of flowers in any particular color or shade, and form by planting a few Dahlias on the house side 

 of the garden. 



You have too many trees and shrubs for Dahlias to do well. Use pots. If you have never 

 used Dahlias in pots you cannot imagine what beautiful plants and blooms you can grow in 

 this way. 



I Or you can make a concrete box or bed, either sunken or on the surface of the ground, 

 being careful to have plenty of holes for' drainage ; fill up with good soil and plant your Dahlias. 

 You will be surprised at the results, right under the trees. Of course, you want suitable 

 varieties that are stronger 'for blooms than foliage. In fact, some varieties, like Electric, do 

 much better in partial shade, as the sun, in very hot', dry weather, is inclined to scorch the 

 outer petals of the delicately tinted varieties before they fully expand. 



Nothing is handsomer than some of those immense, beautifully formed and richly shaded 

 or delicately tinted Dahlias on long, slender, gracefully drooping stems. They make a fine con- 

 trast to the bold upright growing varieties, and are really more valuable as they can be wired up, 

 so they can be used in any position. 



It is surprising how much longer a flower will last if it is wired. The wires are very 

 cheap and the operation is very simple. Simply insert one end directly in the back of the flower 

 parallel to and alongside of the stem for a few inches, then wind it around the stem. You 

 will soon become expert. In making a decoration you can place each flower in just that par- 

 ticular position you want it by simply bending the wire. 



