Cactus Dahlia 
W ater moderately in early 
Summer-Flowering Bulbs 
IN THE bay and coastal re- 
gions of California DAHLIAS 
are most satisfactory plants, 
and are almost as good in 
the hot: interior, if handled 
correctly. The)' produce in 
eat profusion large, finely 
colored llowers, in pleasing varieties of form. 
For garden efrecls these are all that can be 
asked, while as ciit-llowers they are very 
good, if the stems are scalded as soon as cut. 
As for cultin-e, prepare a Dahlia bed in 
March, but defer planting tmtil the heavy 
rains are over and the soil begins to get 
warm. Have the bed dug deeply and thor- 
otighly. i\'lanm-e lightly when the plants 
are put out. Plant 3 to 4 feet apart each 
way, and when (he plants come up remove 
all but the strongest shoot. When that is 
2 feet high, pinch olT the top to make the 
s(alk branch, and put in a strong stake at 
least 4 f(;et high, for it will be needed to 
stipport the plant when in bloom, as the 
llowers are large and very heavy. 
, and about July I give manure dressing and 
vater well. The best' and most satisfactory bloom is in September, and on_ until the 
plants are killed by frost. The old clumps can be left in the ground until about April I, 
when they should be divided so as to save only one strong shoot with the tuber attached. 
The naked tubers will not grow; they must ha\-e attachetl a portion of the thickened 
stem which bears the new buds. 
In the hot interior the (lowers are often badh- Inu-ned in midstimmer. In stich 
places planting should be late. Rooted cuttings can be planted in late Alay or June, or 
retarded roots will do as well. One need have no fear of over-feeding Dahlias, for they 
delight in deep, rich soil; of course the fertilizer should be well decayed and thoroughly 
worked into (he soil before the bulbs arc planted. Give the plants fair care and Hot too 
much water until la(e Atigus(, when they 
shoidd be watered liberally' and given a cov- 
ering of manure. This will stimulate buds 
which will flower after the heated season 
is over, and the show will be fine tmtil the 
heavier frosts. 
'J"he peculiar form of the Cactus Dahlia 
llower makes the species one of the most 
interesting members of the family,' and 
visitors are always drawn to this part of 
my gardens. 
1 have the very finest sorts of Dahlias, 
btit not enough of a sort to justify offering 
hy names. Persons desiring any of the sorts 
offered in 1913 can have them at 25 cts. each. 
[ will make tip sets as follows: 
6 Fine Tubers of Decorative Dahlias, 
I'ach of a different named sort selectecl 
from ihe best varieties, for St. 25, or one at 
25 r(s. 
6 Finest Cactus Dahlias, each n,i inl- 
and dilTcrent, ,'^1.25, or 25 cts. each. 
6 Finest Show Dahlias, each named am 
different, at §1.25 for the 6, or 25 cts. each. 
f will select to color if desii-ed. 
f have Peony-flowered Dahlias at 25 cts.. 
and the little Pompon or Button-flowered 
sorts at ( he sa me price. 
Show Dahlia 
