122 The Amateur's Book of the Dahlia 



to make sure that there are no open air spaces 

 where they might dry out. Tuck the sand in 

 among them — ^it will run easily by that time — 

 and add more sand on top if necessary. Keep 

 the cellar well ventilated and as nearly as 

 possible at an even cold temperature without 

 freezing. Should the sand become exceedingly 

 dry before spring, wet newspapers may be laid 

 upon it, though with the exception of very small 

 tender roots, this is not a necessary precaution. 



The little "pot roots" still in their pots may 

 be placed close together on shelves and watered 

 sparingly about once a month. If this is not 

 convenient, they may be placed in boxes after 

 having had a slight watering a few days before, 

 and covered with sand Uke the other roots. Be 

 careful that the labels are not dislodged from the 

 pots. It is better to keep each variety in a 

 separate box. 



During the winter months a chemical change 

 takes place in the dormant roots. They should 

 have a month or two in which to adjust them- 

 selves for their new start in the spring. This 

 is particularly important in case the clumps are 

 to be forced for green cuttings. 



In some of our Southern states, where at no 

 time during the wihter the temperature goes 

 much below freezing, and where the soil is sandy 



