DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



55 



better than early, and I myself had more perfect flowers 

 last year, from plants set out about the middle of June, 

 than from those planted in May : this is easily ac- 

 counted for. In July and August the weather wag 

 remarkably hot, which brought the forwardest plants 

 into bud at an early season, and in consequence of a 

 continuation of hot dry weather, such buds failed to 

 produce perfect flowers ; whereas those plants which 

 were set out late, kept growing through the hot wea- 

 ther ,^and produced their buds just in time to receive all 

 the benefit of the autumnal rains. From a consideration 

 of these facts, I think early in June the safest time to 

 set out Dahlia plants ; and if those persons who have 

 no convenience of forcing their roots, set them out in 

 May, in ground prepared as before directed, they will 

 generally succeed very well, provided they take care 

 to cover them in case of a cold change of weather. 

 The roots may be thus cultivated entire, as is fre- 

 quently done ; but if it be desired to have them parted, 

 this business is easily accomplished without disturbing 

 the roots, and the offsets may be planted in the ground 

 separately, or potted. 



After the plants have grown about two or three 

 feet high, it will be necessary to provide for their pre- 

 servation through the varied changes of the season, or 

 a sudden gust of wind may destroy the expectations of 

 a year. The branches of the Dahlia are extremely 

 brittle, and, therefore, a good stout pole, or neat stake, 

 should be driven down near each root, of a suitable 

 height, so that the branches, as they progress in 

 growth, may be tied thereto at every joint, which 



