By Mr. William Smith. 



161 



destroyed their stems, and before winter sets in, the roots 

 are taken up, and after being cleaned of the earth that adheres 

 to them, are exposed in the open air to dry ; they are then 

 placed in their winter quarters, in the following manner. A 

 dry spot is chosen, upon which is placed a layer of straw, 

 three inches thick ; the roots are piled in a heap upon this, 

 and covered with a layer of straw the same as below, and 

 above the whole is placed a covering of earth eighteen inches 

 thick, beaten firmly. In digging out the earth for this pur- 

 pose a trench is formed round the heap, which acts as a drain 

 to draw off the wet.* 



The roots are taken out in March and potted ; they are 

 then placed in a pit heated with dung; after they have grown a 

 certain length they are allowed as much air as possible, merely 

 receiving protection from cold, and the night frosts. They are 

 planted out when there is no longer any danger to be appre- 

 hended from the weather. It is customary to place them in 

 clumps, or in single rows ; a very good example of the effect 

 produced by an avenue of Dahlias was shown in the Garden 

 of the Society, during the last season ; a row consisting of all 

 the varieties was planted on each side of a long walk, corres- 

 ponding plants, that is, the same varieties, being placed on each 

 side, opposite to each other. 



In a clump of Dahlias planted in the Arboretum, an attempt 

 was made to give the tall growing sorts a dwarf appearance. 

 This was effected by pegging down all the young shoots as fast 

 as they grew, till the ground was nearly covered. The shoots 



* This method is not to be preferred when there is sufficient room for 

 keeping the roots during winter in a house, for they are liable to be injured by 

 damp, when pitted as above described. 



vol. vir. Y 



