21 



strength than such as are designed for the more dwarf varieties 

 The work of driving the poles may be more easily effected 

 immediately after a rain, when the ground is moist. 



As the plants advance in growth, it will become necessary 

 to tie the stalks firmly to the poles to guard against the effects 

 of winds and storms. For this purpose, common bass mat- 

 ting, or any other soft ligature is to be preferred. The 

 branches being extremely brittle, are subject to be broken in 

 severe gales when not supported. Some persons train their 

 Dahlias on a trellis, which affords security to every branch, 

 and presents at the same time a fine effect. It is only in very 

 exposed situations that the extreme caution is required of ty- 

 ing every branch ; and in cities and in other well sheltered 

 locations far less care will suffice in this respect. It is 

 deemed beneficial to trim off the lateral shoots nearest the 

 ground, to a certain height in proportion to the growth of the 

 plant ; say for dwarfs twelve inches, and for other varieties 

 eighteen, increasing to twenty-four inches for the tallest. 

 Some cultivators thin out about half the number of upper 

 branches, in order to add to the strength of the remaining 

 ones, and to increase the size and beauty of the flowers. 



Wintering Dahlias. — As soon as the frost has killed the 

 tops, cut them off, take up the roots, and dry them for two or 

 three days in the sun, after which place them on shelves in a 

 cellar perfectly dry and free from frost, or pack them in dry 

 sand, where they may remain until the period for spring plan- 

 ting. Moisture is destructive to them, and in a damp cellar 

 or room they are very liable to rot ; but in a dry one, not a 

 single root will be injured, if kept free from frost. 



Selection and Transportation. — When the selection is left 

 to us, such an assortment will be selected as will present a 

 pleasing combination of color, form, height, etc. When 

 packed for transportation from September to May, they occu- 

 py so little space that a great number may be comprised in a 

 small compass, and they can thus be transported to any dis- 

 tance, 



