24 The Amateur's Booh of the Dahlia 



Cod and on the Western Shore in Maryland 

 prove this. My garden stands 400, not 4,000, 

 feet above the sea. 



Two things, however, they must have: fresh 

 air and moisture. In the land of their origin these 

 may only be found in the Tierra Fria, but far- 

 ther north such altitude means frost — ^the night- 

 mare of the dahlia. 



Far north in colder climates or in England, 

 where the thin rays of the sun have little warmth, 

 they may be planted near a garden wall which 

 shelters them and helps to keep them warm. In 

 the average American garden, however, the cruel 

 sun must be tempered or the plants will sulk 

 in discouragement. 



If it is possible to choose the location, a north- 

 easterly exposure would be ideal; but if that can- 

 not be done, place the dahlias where they may 

 have sun in the morning and shade the latter 

 part of the day. Dahlias are jealous of tree 

 roots. If trees are destined to give that shade, 

 beware, and make them keep their distance. 



A free circulation of air among the plants is 

 important. The soft green growth heats up 

 and decays quickly in stagnant air, therefore 

 walls and hedges which shut them in are harm- 

 ful and should be avoided. 



An open level bit of land bathed in the morn- 



