CULTURE OF DAHLIAS 
The dahlia is one of the easiest of all flowers 
to cultivate and will produce more flowers than 
any other plant grown flowering all summer and 
fall if the simple cultural directions are followed 
closely. They can be grown in any good garden 
soil, but if possible plant in an open sunny situa- 
tion. Prepare the soil thoroughly by digging 12 
to 18 inches deep in the fall, if possible, and again 
in the spring. Plant any time between April 20th 
and June 1st, digging holes six inches deep and 
from three to four feet apart. Then lay in the 
tuber flat on its side, the size of which makes no 
difference as long as it has one strong eye or 
sprout. Cover three inches deep, thus leaving the 
hole one half full, to be filled after plant comes up 
6 to 8 inches above the ground. 
As soon as the plant is large enough, cut out 
the top of it just above the second or third set of 
leaves, which causes the plant to grow a strout 
branch at the base of each of the four or six 
leaves left. Just as soon as the plants are up the 
most important thing to do- is to keep the soil 
loose and mellow by hoeing or cultivating once 
or twice a week and just as soon after each rain 
as the soil will permit. As soon as the buds 
appear stop all cultivation and give the beds a 
mulch of rotted manure, leaves, etc. Water the 
beds and plants thoroughly once or twice a week 
and especially during the drv weather. Tie each 
plant to a strong stake so it may have a strong 
support. To have the greatest success is to keep 
them growing but as strong and sturdy as pos- 
sible. Never allow the faded flowers to remain 
on the plant but cut them off with as much stem 
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