EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 113 



same shades, but never into blue.^ For many years the Dahlia showed 

 only the shades of purple and crimson^ and it was not belieyed that any 

 other color could be produced. A pure white flower at length was 

 produced, and caused a great sensation ; and the yellow was greeted 

 with much delight. The growing of Dahlias was a passion in England 

 and the United States, twenty years ago ; and new varieties were much 

 sought for. Large sums of money were paid for them. 



The Liliputian or Pompone Dahlias are very lovely for bouquets and 

 vases. The flowers are of the desired globular shape, and each petal is 

 perfectly cupped and tinted. They grow about eighteen inches to two 

 feet high, and are desirable for the smallest garden. Some of the flowers 

 are no larger than a Eanunculus ; the plant is perfectly covered with 

 buds and flowers that produce a charming eff'ect. 



Dahlias will grow in almost any kind of soil, excepting wet, heavy clay 

 loam ; but a moderately rich, light loam is the best. A clear, open location, 

 well exposed to the sun, is indispensable for the finest blooms. They 

 grow finely on the southwestern side of a fence, making a hedge of 

 unsurpassed beauty. The plants should be set three feet apart ; if grown 

 en masse, they should have as much room as that, and they will grow 

 so bushy, that at a little distance, they will appear closely grouped. As 

 borderings on each side of a walk, they show to great advantage, and can 

 be planted once in two and a half feet. 



Dahlias can be trained by pegging down the tender shoots, so that 

 they will cover a bed; the branches must be pegged down as the plants 

 grow, until the bed is entirely covered, and will present an uniform mass 

 of flowers and foliage. Plants for this purpose should be set only two 

 feet apart. Some train them in the espalier form, by allowing three or 

 four stems to grow from each root, laying them diagonally on both sides, 

 and filling up the center with the lateral shoots. 



These flowers are propagated by seeds, division of the tubers, and by 

 cuttings. Few, but experienced florists, succeed in growing them in 

 xthe last-named manner, but all of us can raise them from the two for- 

 mer. It is no more work to grow a Dahlia than a potato. 



Keeping Dahlias through the Winter, 



The tubers need not be dug up until just before the ground freezes; 

 N then remove them to a dry out-house for a day or two to dry ofl". Don't 

 break the tubers apart, but cut the stem down to within a few inche? 

 8 



