OF THE DAHLIA 35 
largest possible flowers. Some varieties produce so 
many buds that the plant would be quite unequal to 
the great work of bringing all of them to anything ap- 
proaching satisfaction as to form and color and size. 
Pompons and single dahlias do not require disbudding. 
John Wanamaker and Princess Juliana must be con- 
stantly disbudded. 
Usually, although not always, flower buds are pro- 
duced in groups of three, and almost always the central 
bud is strongest and best. Allow the flower buds to 
develop until they are as large as peas; by that time it 
will be clear which bud is the finest. Pinch off the other 
two. Looking down the branch, from the bud that is 
left, either now, or somewhat later, shoots will be ob- 
served starting from the branch in the axils of the leaves 
(at their union with the branch). Many of these 
shoots will eventually produce groups of three flower 
buds, while in some cases only one flower bud will 
start. These buds can be pinched out, leaving but one 
bud to a joint, as they appear. Or, if you desire that 
the first bud mentioned, the terminal flower bud of the 
branch, should develop into a superb flower, that you 
can cut with two or more feet of stem, remove all of the 
lower shoots as fast as they appear. This permits the 
branch to devote all its sap and energy to the production 
of one splendid flower. The beginner, if he has but a few 
plants, will prefer more and smaller blooms, to few 
and perfect ones. If one is fortunate enough to have 
