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FLORICULTUEE. 
FLORICULTURE. 
By John Dickson. 
The Dahlia. — I flatter myself that the few observations I am about to offer on the 
cultivation of the Dahlia or the King of Autumn, (as it is not unaptly designated) will be 
found acceptable both to those amateurs who have so far progressed with their collection 
of these lovely regal plants, as well as those who merely contemplate adding to their list 
of pleasures by undertaking the charge of these Children of the Sun. Amid the florist's 
care, few appear so grateful for his attention as the Dahlia ; this may in some measure be 
accounted for on the principle that we really value blessings in proportion as they recede 
from us : consequently, I presume that when we see all our floral treasures departing from 
us, it is with a feeling little short of idolatry we welcome the expanding beauties of these 
glories of our autumn season. It may be, were our enjoyments more varied, as in the budding 
spring or blooming summer, the Dahlia would pass muster with the gorgeous assemblage, 
creating a feeling of admiration (it could not fail to elicit that), but falling infinitely short 
of the positive enthusiasm with which its coming is regarded in the Autumn, when 
it stands proudly alone in our grounds, seeming to challenge the floral world, for its pre- 
eminency in form, colour, variety, durability, and profuseness of bloom. I expect to be 
told that I am an enthusiast by some of my readers ; by others, perhaps, that I arrogate too 
much to this class of flowers, its want of perfume being a decided drawback on its fascina- 
tions in many persons' idea. Let me respectfully suggest that art can still supply the 
scented flower for the greenhouse, conservatory or drawing-room ; but art with all her 
boasted power (and its magnitude few are more inclined to admit than myself) could 
accomplish little to adorn the open grounds at the season when this flower is seen in all 
his glory, if Nature had not in munificent liberality granted us the Dahlia. It stands the 
test of our ever-varying climate, and it is not until stern Winter is heralded by frost and 
cutting winds, that the haughty beauty bends before the coming storm, and even then, in 
death as in life, the Dahlia maintains its proud position. Coming to us when all else had 
fled, it sheds the glories of life around us while mother Nature permits their feasting our 
senses in all their gorgeous development ; but careful as she is that her pet children's 
charms shall never satiate, no sooner do they evince the slightest indication of decay and 
before their brilliant tints can fade, she brings in mercy a gentle frost and the proud King 
of Autumn sleeps upon her breast, — no mockery of dying, no partial resuscitation, throwing 
up blooms, a mere caricature of what they had been, — like some flowers I could name — 
but the first cutting wind sings their requiem and the hoar-frost constitutes a befitting pall 
for such obsequies, till phoenix-like they rise again from their bed of earth to charm anew 
the senses of their admirers ; and surely their name is Legion. 
For those amateurs about to commence the culture of the Dahlia, I would advise their 
selecting a spot of ground rather moist and light for flowers that produce hard or greenish 
centres, with a due regard to convenience for watering, as quick growth induces them to 
produce flowers with more perfect centres, such varieties as come then after their first 
blooms are thrown should be planted in an open situation and in heavy soil in order to 
secure slow growth. 
Planting, — It is desirable that the ground selected for this purpose should have been 
thrown up in ridges during the winter, and levelled in dry weather about March or the 
commencement of April ; seeing that it is well dug just previous to planting, proceed to 
marking the distance of your rows, which should be 6 feet from row to row, and from 5 to 
6 feet according to circumstances in the rows ; I think this will not be found too much, as 
it must be borne in mind that if the plants once become drawn, (which is the certain con- 
sequence of crowding them together) large flowers can never be produced, no matter what 
after care may be bestowed upon them. A small portion of rich compost well incorporated 
with the soil where the plants are about to be placed is desirable, as it induces the roots to 
take good hold, and they commence making their growth in less time than if planted with- 
out. A little rotten manure mixed underneath has been found of considerable benefit. 
