PROPAGATION OP THE DAHLIA. 
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growth develops, the shoots become long and weak, 
owing to lack of air and sunshine. A stout stake about 
5 or 6 feet high should be placed to each plant. If done 
later in the season a good deal of injury is likely to be 
caused to the tuberous roots. If the young plants are 
in pots they should be turned out carefully, so as not 
to break the ball of soil round the roots. 
Tying. — As the season advances, the leading shoots 
must be carefully tied to the stake, and where extra 
large flowers are required in the Show, Fancy, Decora- 
tive, and Cactus groups, some of the weaker shoots 
may be pinched out altogether ; but in the case of 
the smaller-flowered Pompons and the single varie- 
ties there is no necessity to thin out the shoots. 
If particularly fine blooms are required for exhibi- 
tion purposes, the plants may be fed frequently with 
weak liquid manure composed of cow manure and 
soot, or guano and soot. At the time of planting a 
little basic slag may be strewn over the soil, and will 
come in as a useful food about the flowering period. 
Storing. — When the frost comes in autumn the 
stems should be cut down to within 6 inches of the 
ground, and the tubers lifted to dry. After the 
soil has been shaken from them they are stored 
away in a cool, airy place, where they will be free 
from frost in winter, and not likely to rot with 
damp. 
Propagation. — Dahlias may be raised from seeds, 
or increased by cuttings and division of the roots. 
The seeds are sown in gentle heat about February or 
March. ' All seedlings flower the first year, but a 
large number of double varieties produce only single 
