IN A NUT SHELL 
a ^ A FEW ITEMS OF INTEREST ^ ^ 
V I 
The native home of the Dahlia is Central America and Southern Mexico. Its 
earliest known history dates back to 1657, and at this date was called Acocti by 
the Aztec Indians. Later its name was changed to Georgina, after Prof. Georgi 
of St. Petersburg, which name is still used in some of the German catalogs. 
Again the name was changed to Dahlia, after Dr. Dahl, a Swedish botanist. The 
Dahlia in its native state is single. The first double forms appeared in 1814 
and are credited to M. Donkelaar. The first double forms were of the types 
now knoAvn as SHOW and FANCY. The POMPON form appeared about 1858 
, to 1860. Next came the DECOKATIVE form, but its origin is not clearly de- 
fined, but probably dates back some forty years. The first CACTUS Dahlia 
originated in 1872, but was not placed on the market until 1880. It was named 
Juarezi after President Juarez of Mexico. This is the popular type of the pres- 
ent day and there are some 2.000 named varieties of Cactus Dahlia today that 
have descended from the original Juarezi. The PEONY FLOWERED type is 
of quite recent origin, dating back but a few years. 
How to Grow and Care for Dalilias 
If possible, plant in an open, sunny situation. Prepare the soil thoroughly 
by deep digging. Be moderate in the use of both manure and water.. Never 
plant when the soil is wet. Lay the tuber flat on its side and cover it 4 inches 
deep, pressing the soil firmly on the tuber. Keep the soil loose and mellow by 
frequent hoeing, drawing the soil to a slight hillock aroiuid the plant. 
Tall growing varieties may be kept fairly dwarf by pinching out the tip 
when the first shoot is 6 inches high. All varieties growing above 4 feet should 
be tied to stout stakes to hold them in position. 
3x3 feet is about the proper distance to plant apart. • 
Keep all dead flowei-s trimmed off. 
Dahlia blooms keep much better if cut in the evening — about sunset — and 
the less foliage taken off with the flowers the better for both plant and flower. 
If green is desired, use some other green of better keeping qualities. 
After frost has killed the tops, dig the tubers carefully, remove the soil 
from the roots, and store away in a box or barrel secure from frost. As a pre- 
caution it would be well to cover the tubers so stored with sand, leaves, or moss. 
All clumps should be divided into several pieces before being reset the 
following spring. 
— JlXtracts from Wilmore's Dahlia Manual. 
