44 CULTIVATION 
for the beginner. Countess of Lonsdale, Mrs. Charles 
Seybold, Hortulanus Witte, and Mrs. J. Gardner Cas- 
satt are such. Any good catalog will mention others. 
The beginner had better stake his plants. The 
experienced amateur, with a plantation of choice vari- 
eties, containing from fifty to fifteen hundred expensive 
sorts cannot afford to allow his plants to be unsupported. 
Such a plot, in scores of cases, so devoted are modern 
dahlia enthusiasts, represents not less than $500, often 
more than $ 1 ,000. Growing so luxuriantly, with a large 
hollow stem, many very succulent, easily broken 
branches, and a mass of foliage affording winds oppor- 
tunity to exert strong pressure, dahlias are always better 
staked. Commercial plantations covering acres, of 
course, cannot be staked. But the home gardener 
should support his plants. Procure strong stakes at 
the start, and they will last for many years. They can 
be stained or painted green. A large plot, not a part 
of the ornamental garden, can be staked with cuttings 
from pasture or wood lot, about half the height of bean 
poles, and the effect is seemly. In particularly orna- 
mental groups of dahlias, in the forefront of the garden , 
iron rods are excellent, being strong and inconspicuous. 
They may be obtained in quantity for about twenty 
cents each. Five and a quarter to five and a half feet 
is a good length, twelve to eighteen inches being driven 
into the ground. 
