OF THE DAHLIA 13 
the roots. If it is excellent soil for corn or potatoes, and 
the drainage is certain, it is well nigh ideal ground. 
Dahlias abominate wet feet, and will not prosper if 
their roots are in sodden soil. Some growers prefer a 
stony hill, or a gravelly slope, knowing how important 
good drainage is. You will be fortunate if your soil is 
in good condition from previous enrichments and cul- 
tivations of growing crops, Such a soil is much better 
than one that has to be manured at planting time. 
Dahlias are naturally luxuriant growers, and are greedy 
users of plant food. Too much plant before blooming 
time means excessive foliage, but scant flower produc- 
tion. 
A generous portion of your soil should consist of 
humus. Fifty per cent of average, ordinary soil is not 
soil at all, but air and water. If you can add only 
twenty-five per cent of humus you increase the air 
content and at the same time wonderfully increase its 
moisture-holding capacity. 
Smash all the clods. The hard lumps, often almost 
as firm as if composed of lava, or burnt clay, cannot hold 
plant food in solution, and plant food must always be 
dissolved, for only when it is in solution can plants 
absorb it. 
You cannot grow fine dahlias, or any other plants 
for that matter, year after year without the addition of 
animal manures, or at least of vegetable substances. 
Amateurs rush to the storekeeper for bone meal and 
