Propagation 47 



they are light but because they travel better and 

 the shoot attached does not so easily become 

 damaged. Take no risks with the transporta- 

 tion people, but pack them in wooden boxes; 

 mark the packages both "Fragile" and "Perish- 

 able," and insure them for their full value. The 

 life of the dahlia is at stake ! 



Once in a while we have something extra fine, 

 and we need to have a lot of plants. Perhaps 

 we wish to make a big showing of them in the 

 garden, or our neighbours are begging one in 

 exchange. Maybe they are very expensive to 

 buy, or maybe they cannot be bought at all. 

 The clump, perhaps, is very small, with but two 

 or three eyes when we had hoped to have a 

 dozen. Under these circumstances, we must 

 resort to the rooting of green cuttings. 



To do this properly, the roots should be al- 

 lowed to rest at least a month or more after dig- 

 ging. The tubers undergo a change during the 

 dormant period which gives them better strength 

 to renew growth for the following season, 



Select only the strongest clumps from plants 

 which were healthy and bloomed true the 

 summer before. About the first of January the 

 clumps should be placed on the benches of a 

 cool greenhouse (about 65°) and thinly covered 

 with light soil. Water sparingly and shade from 



