THE DAHLIA. 



31 



CHAPTER VI 



DISBUDDING 



THIS is the most important factor in raising Dahlias, and I have had photographs taken 

 to illustrate the subject so as to make the subject as plain as possible. I have described the 

 single stem branching system by the pinching out process; and have advised against hav- 

 ing the soil too rich, and apply top dressings after the plants commence to bloom. The main 

 object is to keep the plants from getting too large, calling attention to the fact that is more a 

 case of moisture than fertility. I will now state by thorough disbudding you can hardly get 

 the soil too rich. Dahlias bloom on the young shoots. When the plants get very large the 

 moisture is evaporated through the leaves so rapidly on hot dry days that the wood hardens, 

 the buds blast or open one sided or imperfect flowers. 



On page 30 is a young plant showing natural growth of the Dahlia "John Wanamaker." 

 The second photo on page 31 shows 

 the same plant with the terminal bud, 

 but the first two pairs of lateral 

 shoots or branches removed. Just 

 examine these two photos carefully 

 and you will see what a simple oper- 

 ation. Simply take the main stalk 

 at the base of the leaves with the 

 thumb and first finger of one hand, 

 the shoots in the thumb and finger 

 of the other hand and snap or break 

 them out one at a time. This is all 

 that is necessary at that time. You 

 can see the lower branches, but they 

 are not ready yet. When these 

 branches develop buds, repeat the 

 operation, treating each branch as 

 you did the main stem. By this 

 time you will be more interested as 

 the terminal bud of the main stem 

 will by this time be developing into 

 just the kind of flower you have al- 

 ways wished for. 



The third cut on page 32 shows 

 you the plant when four of the 

 branches after having been disbud- 

 ded in the same way have devel- 

 oped their terminal buds into superb 

 exhibition quality blooms, and a 

 careful inspection will show several 

 other branches, sevefal of which 

 have also been disbudded in the 

 same way. No. 4, page 33, shows 



vou the flower-the ideal flower that SAME PLANT OF JOHN WANAMAKER WITH TWO 

 you tne iiowci i c PAIRS OF SHOOTS REMOVED, WHICH IS THE 



can be grown by any one, by follow- proper WAY TO HANDLE DAHLIAS 



ing these simple mstructions, the en- ^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^.^^ 



tire season. stemmed beauty for your trouble (Pleasure) 



