IN A NUT SHELL 
A FEW ITEMS OF INTEREST 
THE native ipnie of the DaliUd, is 0«intral Aftierica and Southern Mezico. 
Its earliest. kOow^ history dates batk to 1657, and at this date waa 
called Aeocti by the Aztec Indians. Later ita name was changed to 
Georgina, ^ftt^r Prof. Georgi of St. Petersburg, which name i.s still used 
in some of the German catalogs. Again the name was changed to Dahlia, after 
Dr. Dahl, a Swedish botanist. The Dfthlia in its native state is single. The 
first double forms appeared, in ISH and are credited to M. Donkelaar. The 
fir.st double forms were of the types now known as SHOW and PANCi'. The 
POMPON form appeared about 1858 to 18G0. Next came the DECORATIVE 
form, but its origin is not clearly defined, but probably dates back some forty 
years.. The first CACTUS Dahlia originated in 1872, but was not placed ou 
the market until 1880. It was named Juarezi after President Juarez of Mexico. 
This is the popular type of the present day and there are some 2,000 named 
varieties of Caetus Dahlia today that ha.ve descended from the original Juarexi. 
The PEONY F|jO WERED tyi>e is jof quite recent origin, dating buck but « 
few year.? and are beconiinsr ver>' popular. 
How to Grow and Care for Daklias 
IP possible, plant 5h an open, sunny situation. Prepare the soil thoroughly 
by deep digging. Be jnoderate 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 soii loose and 
mellow hv ^V.M(ni'nt lun'Wi':;, i1''M>ritv tlif ooiT to n -jlit'f't liilln.-'l,- around the 
plant. 
Tali si'o^mg varieties may be kept fairly dwarf by pmninng out the tip 
when the first shoot is 6 inches bipfh. All varieties prrowin'j above 4 feet should 
be tied to stout stakes to hold them in position. 
3x3 feet is about the proper distance to plant ifi;! > 
Keep all dead flowers triituued off. 
Dahlia blooms keep luuoh better. if put in the evenin^-^about sunset— and 
the less foliuiie taken off with flu! flowers ihe better for both phint .i ': t n 
If green is desired, "se somt> o1l^e^ groeu of bettor keeping qualilies 
After frost, has kilted the tops, dig: the tuber^ earefnily. remove the soii 
from the rr.nt'^ raid store away in a box or barrel secure froin ffost Ac a ptt 
cairtion !■ I'C well to cover the tubei-s so stored with 
All eiuiiipN should be divided iW ■ - ■ •• • • ».. • 
following spring. 
Extracta i'loru Wiiruora » DatwU* MK«tif«L 
