LARGE BLOOMS 19 
the second season; is not expensive when this is con- 
sidered; and is altogether convenient in the handling 
and application. Half a ton to the acre is none too 
much; five hundred pounds, broadcast, or in the 
furrow, will make itself felt positively. The home 
gardener can scatter a pound to each square foot of soil; 
or stir in a coffee cupful about each tuber. 
Inasmuch as dahlias are a root crop, some growers 
use a commercial complete potato fertilizer, adding to 
it, bulk for bulk, an equal amount of bone meal. Such 
a combination will bring excellent results. 
A mixture rich in phosphoric acid, and sufficient 
for an acre, is 1 50 pounds nitrate, 200 pounds tankage, 
400 pounds acid phosphate, 200 pounds bone meal, and 
80 pounds potash salts. This combination is very 
rich in phosphoric acid, and is the equal of 1 000 pounds 
of 4-8-4 fertilizer. But even so, 1000 pounds of bone 
meal, with the 80 pounds of potash salts added, is 
better. 
Among commercial fertilizers for top dressing after 
blooming has begun dried blood (blood meal) is excel- 
lent. A small handful raked into the top soil every 
three weeks will improve color of flowers and foliage. 
Nitrate of soda is recommended by almost every one, 
perhaps because it is convenient in form, highly con- 
centrated, and inoffensive as to odor, and exceedingly 
stimulating. In fact, it is almost too much of a stim- 
ulant. Some growers are convinced that its use weak- 
