OFTHEDAHLIA 47 
the wood, which, he thinks, might spread until it injured 
his tubers. He also takes the prevailing direction of 
winds into account, so placing his picket stake that the 
plant is pushed by the wind against the stake, instead 
of being pulled away from it. This lessens the proba- 
bility of tying material being broken by the strain. 
The roofs of many modern houses have their 
shingles nailed upon strips that come in bundles twelve 
feet long, the strips being about one inch by three inches. 
Gut in half these strips make admirable dahlia stakes, 
and are fairly low in price as lumber comes nowadays. 
In the East common opinion seems to be that grow- 
ing dahlias in California is one bright, flawless round of 
joy and success. Yet a notable grower says: "Don't 
you believe that we can grow dahlias in California with- 
out lots of attention. I think that down here in the 
sunshine dahlias require more care than in the East, 
because we have to water them, and then they bloom 
so freely that they have to be disbudded, and the dead 
flowers have to be cut constantly." 
In fact, Californians have much to contend against. 
In 1919 there was a long period of cool, cloudy weather, 
succeeded by intense heat. Many plants were killed 
by the great change, and others were set back fully 
thirty days before continuing normal growth. 
In Southern California tubers planted in February 
and March begin blooming in May, and are at their best 
in midsummer. Green plants can be set out until July 
