5G2 
THE DAHLIA. 
MARCH. 
Set all to work now, and examine all that 
are growing, daily, to take off the cuttings re- 
gularly as they advance ; these when they 
become numerous may be struck several in a 
pot, as a striking heat must be greater than a 
simple growing heat after they are struck, and 
it may be advisable to take up as little room 
as possible ; but if there be plenty of room to 
strike in, it saves a good deal of labour to 
strike them singly in the pots they are to be 
kept in till planting time. Sow seed in pots 
or in a frame and light, over a gentle hot-bed 
made on purpose. 
APRIL. 
Continue to take off cuttings and strike them, 
remove those already struck into a cooler hot- 
bed, or make up a new one to strike in, and 
continue those that are struck in the frame 
they were struck in, which will have declined 
a good deal. Of course in cases where a pro- 
pagating house is used, and ample room 
afforded, it is only necessary to remove the 
struck ones to a cooler place or pit, and by 
degrees harden them off : air must be given to 
those which are growing, to prevent them from 
drawing up. Pot off seedlings, or thin them 
and prick out the spare ones. 
MAY. 
The plants are now ready to plant out or send 
out, but it is not safe to plant round London 
till after the 20th of the month, unless you 
cover up with a flower-pot with the hole 
stopped, at every indication Of a frost, and 
always at sun-set ; but after the 20th they are 
pretty safe, and when they are planted a pro- 
per depth, which is the crown four to six 
inches below the surface, they will always 
break out again, even if the frost cuts them 
down a little. Continue striking cuttings of 
all likely to be useful. Catch and kill ear- 
wigs by every means that can be devised, from 
the instant the plants are in the ground. 
JUNE. 
Plant out all the collection, some at the be- 
ginning, others for late blooms at the end of 
the month. Continue trapping earwigs, and 
examine the traps daily twice. Plant out the 
remainder of the seedlings in rows, the plants 
a foot apart, the rows a yard from each other. 
JULr. 
Add other stakes to the vigorously growing 
plants, and daily examine the earwig traps, 
and tie up growing branches ; where any 
branches are growing in each other's way take 
off those that can best be spared, and what- 
ever blooms come prematurely or imperfect 
pull off. Water only when it is absolutely neces- 
sary, and then do it effectually by well soaking 
the whole ground. If any seedlings bloom, 
remove the inferior ones the instant you can 
discover their blemishes. 
AUGUST. 
The flowers are now coming forward 
rapidly. Continue to kill every stray earwig.- 
If the plants are grown for their beauty in the 
garden, they should be neatly and handsomely 
trained, but if they are grown for exhibition 
continue to remove all blooms which will not 
perfect themselves, and prepare to shade those 
which will be useful ; place extra stakes where 
required, and where any particlar bloom is 
wanted for show remove the buds which are 
in its way, and so fasten it that none of the 
leaves or other flowers can touch it, even in 
case of wind. If the first blooms are to be 
covered, let them be fixed for that purposes- 
Examine the seedlings daily, to turn out those 
which are useless, and place stakes to any that 
seem promising. Side shoots of new varieties 
may be struck in a good strong moist heat. 
SEPTEMBER. 
Continue the treatment of last month in 
every respect, but remember that in shading, 
a bloom that has been uncovered is more bril- 
liant, more lasting, and more desirable, because 
more in character, than those which have been 
constantly confined. A common shade made 
of paper, that keeps off the sun and gives the 
benefit of all the air, is most proper for use. 
OCTOBER. 
As the plants begin to exhaust themselves, 
or in the event of a frost, put the spade under 
the tubers and detach them from the ground a 
little without removing them altogether, and 
earth them up a little in case of severe frost : 
after they have been lifted a few days they 
may be taken up, cleared of their mould, have 
their labels fastened on with wires, and the 
stems cut down to an inch in length ; they may 
then be put in a place well protected, to dry 
stem downwards. Seedlings worth saving 
may be taken up, and their description taken 
in a book or marked on their labels. 
NOVEMBER. 
Store the tubers where neither heat, frost, 
nor damp can touch them, and if practicable, 
where they can be examined from time to 
time ; those roots which appear hardly matured 
should be potted directly. Pot roots are as 
well preserved in their pots as any how, the 
pots may be laid on their sides in any dry 
corner or place. Late struck cuttings may be 
kept growing. 
DECEMBER. 
Nothing can be done now but occasionally 
to examine the tubers, to see all is going on 
