done by leaving off this work now, and the mulch will help retain 
moisture and at the same time prevent the soil from becoming 
hard by trampling. You will have enough at this time to do in 
attending to tying, dis-budding, feeding, etc. After a very hot 
day, a spray of water over the plants in the evening will revive 
them wonderfully. Spraying with insecticides should cease 
when the blooms begin to come out, as they may be disfigured. 
Flowering season will now be on hand and your only dread is 
an early frost. Here a little protection is worth the trouble as 
there is generally a spell of good weather to follow. Sudden 
windstorms play havoc, so keep your plants well tied. Take note 
of those varieties that have not come up to expectations, but if 
they should happen to be California varieties, try them at least 
the second year — they may surprise you then and live up to their 
catalog descriptions. 
You will always find a plant here and there, simply refusing Storing 
to grow, sickly and stunted looking. After a killing frost comes 
along and it's time to lift the tubers, examine them, and if you 
find white streaks or spots, discard them — never keep over such 
tubers; you will only have the same trouble next year. AVhen 
digging your tubers, leave about six or eight inches of the stem 
on and handle them carefully as a twist is fatal to a neck or 
stem. If the weather is wet and your ground heavy, wash all the 
soil off the tubers and have them clean and dry before storing. 
See that the labels are secure — many varieties get mixed during 
winter owing to the labels slipping off the stem after it shrivels. 
A safe way is to use Dahlia labels with copper wire and run the 
wire through the fleshy part of the tuber rather than wrapping 
it around the stem. Pack your clumps upside down in barrels 
or deep boxes containing some short straw or other packing 
material. Stored in this manner in a cool cellar they will winter 
in good condition. Should your cellar be too dry or hot, lay 
your tubers in a corner and cover with sand or cinders. 
The following are a few of the popular exhibition varieties 
in favor today: 
DECOBATIVES. 
Lists 
Mrs. I. de Ver Warner 
Boolcwood 
Rosa Nell 
The Emperor 
Shudows Lavender 
Judge Marean 
Lady Betty 
Insulinde 
Mrs. John Scheepers 
Osum Shadow 
Mary C. Burns 
CACTUS. 
Hortulanus Fiet 
Princess Pat 
Dr. Tevis 
Bonnie Brae 
The V. S. A. 
F. W. Fellows 
Ballet Girl 
Amber 9 low 
Extase 
Pierrot 
Margaret Bouchon 
Bheims 
J. H. Jackson 
HYBRID CACTUS. 
John Biding 
Peace 
Johannesourgh 
E. T. Hawes 
Bed Cross 
Kalif 
Magnificent 
■ Wo dan 
Bianca 
La Favorita 
27 
