l2io 



m beneath the surfaced—measuring from the base of the old stem. Most 

 persons allow but one stalk to grow, and of course select the strongest- 

 cutting away the weaker ones. When planted along a walk or avenue, a 

 triple range presents a very beautiful appearance, the most dwarf being 

 selected for the first row, those of greater stature for the second, and the 

 tallest for the third row— indeed this manner of arrangement may be ex- 

 tended to five or six rows. Another mode is to plant them in clumps, 

 either circular, square, or as the taste may suggest, the tallest varieties 

 being selected for the center. In either of these arrangements, a judi- 

 cious selection of the various colors is requisite, in order to unite 

 to their brilliant display, the advantage of a tasteful combination. 



When the plants are about a foot high, a pole should be placed by each, 

 proportioned to the usual height it attains, which should be driven into 

 the ground about a foot from the stalk, so as not to interfere with the 

 roots. The poles or stakes will necessarily vary from three to eight feet 

 in height above the surface ; and to be firmly placed should penetrate the 

 ground from twelve to eighteen inches. Those for the taller plants will 

 require of course to be of greater thickness and 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 matting, or any other soft ligature is to 

 be preferred. The branches being extremely brittle are subject to be 

 broken in severe gales when not well 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 situa- 

 tions that the extreme caution is required of tying every branch ; and in 

 cities and other well sheltered locations far less care will suffice in 

 this respect. It is deemed beneficial to trim off the lateral shoots near- 

 est 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. 



Omission.— Common white lily, orLilium candidum, $6,00 per 100. 



i. F, Jones 4' Co., Printers j Jamaica j L, L 



