OFTHEDAHLIA 41 
flower lovers who keep winter growing house plants put 
a box of excellent, sifted, soil in the cellar before the 
ground becomes frozen. If you are not so supplied 
obtain earth or sand, preferably earth, moisten it until 
it is crumbly, but not wet, and place your unpacked 
tubers in it, upon their sides, sprout (eye) side up as 
far as you can determine this. Use a top layer of four 
inches of earth, and store in a cool place, but one safe 
from freezing, until planting time. If you do not plant 
for a month or more inspect the box occasionally, lest 
the soil dry out. A little water can be supplied, if 
necessary, to prevent total dryness. 
Tubers should be planted six inches deep, flat, upon 
their sides, not placed vertically. The entire tuber must 
be down in the deep, moist soil. This is one of the 
greatest protections against drying out in hot weather, 
with resulting stunting of growth, and withholding of 
blooms. The feeding roots for the new plant are formed 
where the sprout starts, and it is very important that 
they be deep in the soil, for from them are developed 
the tubers you expect to harvest. If you planted the 
tuber vertically, with its base at the bottom of the hole 
or furrow, the end containing the sprout would be very 
near the surface and you would have a poor plant, few 
flowers, and fewer tubers. 
If you elect to be among the wise, late planters, 
your tubers will have started sprouts in almost every 
instance before being placed in the garden, thus making 
