SHOW DAHLIA. 
some varieties always producing large and others small flowers, the small or medium being 
usually the most perfect, and the largest often somewhat coarse. Purchasers of Dahlias usually 
obtain the tubers for planting, because they 
are more safely transported than plants, and 
the appearance of these tubers will be seen by 
the little engraving of the Dahlia root. Buds 
are found at the neck of the tubers and these 
form the plants. Put the tubers in the ground 
when the season becomes warm, covering the 
neck some three inches. If many shoots start, 
ihin them out. There is no necessity for plant- 
ing the Dahlia early, as it is an autumn flower, 
and seldom gives good blossoms until the 
nights are somewhat cool. After flowering, 
and before hard frosts, take up the bulbs, diy 
them a little, remove the tops, and store in 
the cellar until spring, when they can be 
divided and re-planted. The size of the tuber 
has no influence on the strength of the plant or 
the beauty of the flower ; all the tuber is needed 
for is to sustain the young shoot until it can 
take root and obtain its own support. Florists 
usually place the tubers in a hot-bed early in the spring, and as fast as the young shoots get a few 
inches of growth, take them off" and pot them, 
when, everything being favoi-able, each one will 
root and make a good plant. They are often sold 
in this way, especially new and scarce varieties. 
The tall growing plants require staking, if grow- 
ing in exposed situations, or they are often broken 
by the wind. The Dahlia is divided into three 
pretty distinct classes, the first being the largest 
and most important, as follows : Sho7v Dahlia^ 
growing from three to four feet in height, and 
embracing all our finest sorts, fit for exhibiting at 
horticultural shows, from which the name is 
derived ; the flowers ranging in size from two 
and a half to four 
inches in diameter. 
The D^varf or Bed- 
ding Dahlia grows about eighteen inches in height, and makes 
a thick, compact bush, and covers a good deal of surface. Flowers of 
the size of Show Dahlias. They are therefore very desirable for bed- 
ding and massing. The Pompon or Bouquet Dahlia makes a pretty, 
compact plant, about three feet 
in height. The leaves are small, 
and the flowers from one to two 
inches in diameter. Many expect 
to find small flowers on their Dwarf 
Dahlias, and feel disappointed 
because they are of the ordinary 
size, not knowing that it is the plant, 
and not the flower that is dwarfed, 
and that only the Pompon gives the 
small flowers. The striped and 
mottled and spotted flowers belonging to the Show section are called Fancy, and though not as 
rich and usually as highly prized as the selfs, or those of one color, are very attractive. 
Ill 
DWARF DAHLIA. 
POMPON DAHLIA. 
DAHLIA ROOT. 
