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 sim- 
ple cultural directions are followed closely. They 
can be grown in any good garden soil, but if possible 
plant in an open sunny situation. 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 stout 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 bed a mulch 
of rotted manure, leaves, etc. Water the beds and 
plants thoroughly once or twice a week and specially 
during the dry 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 as strong 
and sturdy as possible. Never allow the faded flowers 
to remain on the plant but cut them off with as much 
