21 
half an ounce nitrate soda per gallon; or one ounce 
dried blood per gallon; or one ounce acid phosphate 
per gallon. Apply every ten days. Use first one, then 
the other. 
Fertilizers should always be used with caution and 
discretion. Besides regarding the natural condition 
of the soil weather wisdom would be altogether helpful. 
Should a long rainy season follow unusual liberality 
in the use of fertilizers dahlia blooms would be hurt 
beyond remedy. The flowers, following such condi- 
tions, would be large, it is true, but they would be soft 
and flabby. Two hours after such flowers are cut they 
would be too wilted and drooping to be attractive. 
Amateurs are sometimes puzzled over the poor keeping 
qualities of their flowers. The application of water 
day after day upon a very rich soil, or too much 
water plus too much stimulating fertilizer, is an ade- 
quate explanation. 
The use of tobacco as fertilizer and insecticide for 
dahlias deserves careful experimental study. That it 
apparently heightens the color of strawberries seems 
certain. Perhaps it may be found that it is a specific 
for wonderfully intensifying dahlia colors. The claim 
has been made that it improves the color as well as the 
growth of golf greens. It is certain that tobacco in the 
form of dust and chopped stems is valuable as plant 
food and is obnoxious to insects. It will not burn the 
plants, it is easily handled, it contains no weed seeds, 
