68 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



The Dahlia is a gross-feeding plant, and requires a rich, deep 

 soil in order that the blossoms may be fully developed. It 

 ought, moreover, to be trenched about 2ft. deep, and during 

 the process a good supply of rich farmyard manure should 

 be worked in. The operation of trenching should be done in 

 the previous autumn, before the ground is saturated with the 

 autumn rains. In fine weather in winter the surface ought to be 

 forked over to a depth of 3in, or 4in. This will allow the air 

 to penetrate more fully into the soil, getting it into the very 

 best condition for planting in the season. At planting-time it 

 is best to put the permanent sticks into the ground. Stout 

 sticks, standing 3ft. to 4ft. out of the ground, and i5in. less 

 or more into it, should be selected. If the soil is in good 

 condition, sufficient should be dug out in front of the sticks to 

 allow the ball of the roots to go well into the soil. The 

 plants should be firmly inserted, and tied to the sticks at once. 

 If the soil is not in good condition, it is an excellent plan to 

 dig out a spit or two of mould, and replace it with some 

 prepared soil, such as would be used in repotting the plants. 

 In favourable weather they will soon grow away vigorously, when 

 all the side-growths ought to be removed except four. These 

 should not be tied up in a bundle — each should have a separate 

 stick to support it ; then by careful training a very handsome 

 plant will be produced. 



At this time it cannot be denied that the plants require con- 

 siderable attention. As the growths advance they m.ust be tied 

 to the sticks, and the earlier ties must be seen to, as otherwise 

 they have a tendency to cut into the succulent growths of the 

 plant. When hot, dry weather sets in, water must be applied 

 very freely to the roots, and a mulch of decayed manure is excellent 

 to prevent the moisture from too rapidly evaporating. If the very 

 finest show blossoms are required for exhibition, it is necessary to 

 shade some of the varieties. Cardboard caps are put over the 

 flowers, and held in position by a stout stick driven into the ground. 



The plan adopted by the old florists, when the Show and 

 Fancy varieties were the only kinds grown for exhibition, was to 

 drive a stout stick into the ground, and on the top of the stick 

 was nailed a board about gin. square. There was a slit in the 

 board wide enough to draw in the stem of the Dahlia blossom 

 intended to be shaded; the tips of the back petals of the blossoms 

 rested on the board, and an inverted flower-pot shaded the blossom. 

 Earwigs will get into the blossoms it they are not trapped 



