DAHLIA. 



81 



well out from the plant in regular outline. These are 

 far more useful for cut flowers, as they can be more 

 gracefully arranged. 



Single Dahlias. — Where large masses of flowers 

 are desired these will giye the greatest satisfaction, as 

 their flowers possess the most gorgeous colors, while the 

 plants are more graceful and pleasing. Notwithstanding 

 that the plant is of perennial habit, and is rapidly 

 increased by cuttings, or division of tubers, it is quite as 

 satisfactory when treated as an annual. When treated in 

 this manner, seeds from the choicest varieties alone should 

 be saved, such as have the largest and best formed flow- 

 ers, of the most positive colors and best defined mark- 

 ings. Seed sown in a frame, or hotbed, or even in pots 

 in the house, early in April, make fine blooming plants 

 in August, and will continue in flower until killed by 

 frost. September is really the month for the Dahlia ; it 

 is then in perfection ; our hot, dry summers are not 

 such as the Dahlia delights in, and the single forms 

 seem more sensitive to the summer's sun than do the 

 double ones. We should advise keeping over a few of 

 the most desirable forms and colors, from which to save 

 seed. But where a large mass is required, depend wholly 

 upon seedlings, which should be planted sufficiently 

 close to spare a few of the poorer ones, of which there 

 will always be a goodly number. These can be thrown 

 out when the first flowers appear, and the remainder will 

 soon spread so as to cover the ground. The plants 

 should be set in rows four feet apart, and two feet apart 

 in the rows. In this way a harmony of color will be 

 secured that cannot be effected by artificial arrangement. 

 This may seem strange, as the gardener would naturally 

 think that with his colors all assorted he could plant 

 with more artistic skill than nature would employ. Not 

 so, however, *in a bed of seedlings ; there will scarcely be 

 two alike, with every color, from the most positive to 

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