OFTHEDAHLIA 31 
from plants that have, before flowering, developed well 
in unshaded locations. 
Paxton, London, 1839, wrote: "The Dahlia delights 
in a position where it can constantly receive the vivi- 
fying and strengthening rays of the sun, from the time 
he issues forth in eastern glory, to the period of his 
setting below the western horizon." 
Upon a small bit of land, like a town or city lot, it 
is often well-nigh impossible not to have some shade, 
from trees, or fence, or buildings, fall upon the garden 
at some hour of the day. If you have half a day's full 
sunshine upon your plant you can grow dahlias success- 
fully. They will grow in half shade, and greater care 
of cultivation, fertilizing, etc., can be added by way of 
compensation. But do not plant them in partial shade 
if you have an entirely sunny location. Of course, 
tree-shaded positions, and bits of ground in the midst 
of vigorously growing shrubs, are entirely unsuitable. 
Such locations will not have enough sunshine and air, 
besides suffering from the appropriation of most of the 
plant food by the trees. If you have land enough be 
generous with it. Allow more space for the flow of air 
about your plants. Without sufficient air seeds cannot 
sprout, nor plants grow, nor vegetable and animal mat- 
ter decay in the soil. Harmful bacteria cannot live in 
soils through which there is a good circulation of air. 
Tuber dry rot occurs in heavy soils, that are closely 
compacted, and not adequately aerated. 
