GARDENING FOR LITTLE GIRLS 



people who are interested in — and wish to help 

 along — ^the growing of dahlias. 



And it's no wonder that they are popular, for no 

 other flower can be grown in the garden that will 

 give as many, as large, as vari-colored and as beau- 

 tiful flowers as the dahlias. Coining in every shade 

 but true blue, and ranging from the tiny button 

 pom-pon to the largest prim show or the formal 

 decorative, — from the unique collarette to the 

 ragged pseony-flowered, the amateur gardener can 

 hardly believe that they really all belong to one 

 family ! 



Of such easy culture, too. Anybody can grow 

 them! Any good, well-drained garden soil will 

 do, but must have manure spaded in 10 in. deep 

 and the tubers must be planted in the sun. The 

 poorer the ground, though, the more fertilizer will 

 you have to use. Heavy soil should be dug up and 

 mixed with ashes to make it light. Plant the tub- 

 ers lengthwise — not up and down! — in a drill at 

 least 6 in. deep, and not less than 2% ft. apart. 



For early flowering, put in your bulbs as soon as 

 all danger of frost is past, but do not set near trees 

 or shrubs that would take their nourishment. 

 When they sprout, pull up all shoots but one or 

 two, in order to produce the finest flowers. Keep 

 the ground well cultivated, but do not water until 



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