5S 



THE FLOWEB GARDEN. 



selection of his Dahlias to the respectable nurseryman of 

 whom he orders them. 



The Dahlia thrives best in a good rich hazel loam. Both 

 the leaves, stem, and roots are killed by frost ; the latter, 

 consequently, must be kept in a place of safety during 

 winter. The stem is fragile, and apt to be blown down 

 or snapped short by high winds ; it is therefore best 

 supported by a stake inserted into the ground at the rime 

 of planting the root or cutting. The ycuug shoots, in 

 their early growth, are apt to be eaten off by slugs and 

 snails, which must be driven off or destroyed by circles 

 of lime and ashes, or by waterings with lime-water. 

 The blossoms are apt to be bitten and spoiled by hungry 

 earwigs, to obviate whose onslaughts traps of hollow 

 bean-stalks, to be inspected once or twice a day. are 

 hung at enticing intervals amidst the foliage : or circular 

 earthen pans, to be filled with water, are placed at the 

 foot of each plant in the early stage of its growth, so as to 

 keep the enemy at bay by a miniature kind of encircling 

 ditch. Choice blooms for exhibition are shaded and 

 protected in various ways. 



Xew varieties of Dahlias are obtained from seed ; the 

 varieties themselves are propagated — first, by division of 

 the tuber at the crown, in which case it must be seen 

 that each portion is furnished with an eye ; and. secondly, 

 by cuttings, which will strike root, and form tubers ct 

 their own by the end of summer. If a Dahlia tuber be 

 planted entire in spring, it will mostly send up several 

 stems. It is usual to leave only one of these, as pro- 

 ducing a handsomer and more symmetrical plant. 



In forming a collection of Dahlias, the general mode is 

 to order the number required of a nurseryman, in good 



te during the winter, if the newest new novelties are a 

 matter of importance. They will arrive some time in 

 spring, in the shape of rooted cuttings two or three 

 inches high, in small pots, and must be kept in a green- 

 house or in a frame, till the end of May, or such time as 

 all danger of frost is over in that locality. They may 

 then be planted out in rows, beds, quincunxes, or 



