FERTILIZERS AND 
developed in classes that require the open center, show- 
ing a golden disk, such as the Peony, Collarette, and the 
Single dahlia; for if too old the petals fall quickly, and 
ruin your chances of winning prizes. The Cactus, 
Hybrid Cactus, Decoratives, Show, Hybrid Show, and 
Pompon Dahlias must have perfectly closed centers. 
After cutting the flowers burn the ends of the stems 
on a gas flame; or dip the ends in boiling water for 
twelve or fifteen seconds, and immediately plunge in 
fresh cold water almost to the blossom, up to the leaves 
at the upper end of the stem. The less foliage used 
the better for keeping. In the morning pack in card- 
board boxes, and the blooms will be in good condition 
for the exhibition table and will last well. In competing 
for a certain class be sure and have your blooms as 
uniform as possible in size; the exact number called 
for; and the different colors well arranged." 
One thing is certain, you cannot grow exhibition 
blooms without water. George L. Stillman, the famous 
Westerly, R. I., grower says: " Watering is one of the 
most essential things in producing perfect blooms on 
your dahlias. Ninety per cent, of the failures in grow- 
ing dahlias is due to lack of water when the hot days of 
summer come. Did you ever notice that the stalk of 
the dahlia is about all water except the outer shell, and 
that where sufficient water is supplied the hole in the 
center of the main stalk is nearly full of water? The 
dahlia, as soon as it begins to bloom, will absorb the 
