96 DAHLIAS. [May. 
GENERAL CARE OF PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER. 
Every part of the flower-ground should be put into neat 
order, giving such plants about the borders as are shooting 
up their flower-stems, and are tender, and in danger of being 
hurt or broken by the wind, proper sticks or rods for their 
support. In doing this, endeavour to conceal the rods, &c, 
as much as possible, by dressing the stems and leaves in a 
natural-looking manner over them. Let the stakes be in 
proportion to the height and growth of the plants. It looks 
very unsightly to see strong stakes to short and weak-growing 
plants. The tyings likewise should be proportionate. 
Examine all the beds and patches of seedling flowers now 
coming up, and let them be refreshed with water as it may 
be necessary, and pick out the weeds as they appear. 
We cannot leave this department at this season of the year 
without enforcing the benefit and beauty that will result 
from keeping the weeds down during this and the next 
month. Therefore strictly observe that there are none run- 
ning to seed in any part of the garden ; in fact, they ought 
not to be allowed to rear their heads one day in sight. 
MAY. 
As the season for planting out the Dahlia is now ap- 
proaching, we will endeavour to give our readers the whole 
subject of their management, so as to insure a good bloom 
of this the most fashionable and popular ornamental plant of 
the present day. As very many are entirely unacquainted 
with the nature and even the habits of the plant, a brief 
synopsis of its history will assist in giving a key to its cul- 
ture. The plant was first discovered by Humboldt, in 
Mexico, growing in sandy plains, three thousand feet above 
the level of the sea. The date is not precisely known, but 
supposed to be about 1785-G. Indisputable authority, how- 
ever, speaks of its being introduced iuto England in 1789 ; 
but was lost and again introduced in 1803, from Madrid, by 
