90 



be covered with coal-ashes, sand, or other dry sub- 

 stance ; but when thus covered, they should be placed 

 with their crowns erect, and exposed to the air ; the 

 under parts of the roots only should be covered over, 

 exactly as if they were planted. (Hort. Soc. Trans.) 



Take care that each root has its name attached to 

 it, written on a piece of lead or zinc, and fastened to 

 it by wire. 



We are of opinion that the unnatural treatment of 

 dahlia tubers, such as storing them for months quite 

 dry, and then forcing them to produce an unusual 

 amount of shoots in the spring, will by degrees bring 

 upon this flower disease similar to that which ravaged 

 the potato last year. "We are sustained in this opin- 

 ion by the fact, that dahlias out all winter in open 

 beds, without any protection whatever, are much 

 more strong and healthy than those the roots of 

 which have been wintered under cover in pits. And 

 Dr. Lindley goes so far as to state as his opinion, that 

 dahlias might be rendered hardy without much trou- 

 ble ; and that, by being out all winter, they would be 

 less liable to be affected by frost early in autumn. 

 (Ibid. 1844, 336.) 



Examine the stored roots during winter, lest any 

 should get mildewed, or begin to decay. If mil- 

 dewed, they must be wiped clean, and dried, by being 

 laid on the hot water pipes or the flues of the green- 

 house, or before a fire ; and those which indicate rot 



