392 THE PLEASURE, OR [May. 
the double varieties. The proper time to plant the roots is the 
beginning of this month, and the plants about the twentieth; they 
will grow and thrive in any common garden soil. When you plant 
them it is necessary to place a good strong stake to each, and, as 
they advance in growth, tie them up to it, to prevent their being 
broken off by the wind. The dahlias vary in height from two to 
eight feet, so that when they are planted it is necessary to propor- 
tion the stake to the height of the plant, for it looks very awkward 
to see a low growing plant with a tall stake. Through the summer, 
should the weather prove dry, it will increase their flowers mate- 
rially to water your plants every evening. 
In October, when the leaves and stalks are killed with the frost, 
it is necessary to cut down the stalks to within sis inches of the 
ground, and let them remain so for a few days that the roots may 
be well refined, otherwise they are not so likely to keep during the 
winter or vegetate in spring. As you take them up label each 
plant separately with the name, colour, and height, as it will assist 
you to diversify the different varieties in planting. The better way 
to label them is to write the name on a small wooden tally, and tie 
it on the root with good twine, or fine wire is preferable. Keep 
them in winter secure from frost by putting them in dry sand or 
saw-dust, and placing them in a cellar. 
Hyacinths. 
Continue to defend the beds o.f the more curious hyacinths, yet 
in full blow, as directed last month, or they may be defended 
either by boards or by mats laid occasionally on hoops placed 
archwise over the beds for their support. These should be laid 
on every day, when the sun shines powerfully, about nine or ten 
o'clock in the iBorning, and taken off at four or five in the after- 
noon. 
When hyacinths are past flower, let thera always be fully exposed 
to the weather, except in very heavy torrents of rain, from which 
they should be carefully protected. 
It is the practice in Holland to take up the bulbs about a month 
after the bloom is completely over, in the following manner: as 
soon as the plants begin to put on a yellowish decayed appearance, 
they take up the roots and cut off the stem and foliage within an 
inch or half an inch of the bulb, but leave the fibres, &c. attached 
to it; they then place the bulbs again on the same bed, with their 
points towards the north, and cover them about an inch deep with 
dry earth or sand in form of a ridge, or in little cones over each 
bulb: in this state they remain about three weeks longer, and dry 
or ripen gradually; during which period the bed is preserved from 
heavy rains or too much sun, but at all other times exposed to the 
full air; at the expiration of this period, the bulbs are taken up, and 
their fibres, which are become dry and withered, cut or gently 
rubbed off; they are then placed in a dry room for two or three 
weeks, and are afterwards cleaned from any soil that adheres to 
