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a given plant has been subjected to ; for example, 

 whether the shoots have been much thinned, the 

 flowers shaded, much manure given, or none at all, 

 &c. 



The following facts with regard to new kinds of 

 dahlias should always be borne in mind before con- 

 demning them the second year : — 



1 . That the seedling plant is much debilitated by 

 propagation, and therefore the flowers are rarely as 

 good the second season as they are the .first and 

 third. 



2. That the best flowers are obtained from those 

 plants struck from the first cuttings produced by the 

 mother plant, notwithstanding that they are seldom 

 as strong as the cuttings that are afterwards pro- 

 duced. 



3. That exciting the roots by means of a strong 

 heat early in the spring, and striking the young plants 

 on a strong dung bed, tend to weaken the plants so 

 treated to such a degree, that they frequently require 

 two or three seasons to recover, and regain their 

 original character. Thus, it is found that good flowers 

 are obtained with the least trouble from those plants 

 kept in pots the first season after striking (termed by 

 the trade pot-roots) ; planted out the following season, 

 and allowed to start of their own accord. 



4. That in wet seasons manure is frequently very 



