k 
124 THE MONTHLY FLORA. 
of this Mexican plant, as through their art, these flowers have had 
their petals doubled and quadrupled until they have become as full 
as the China Aster or Rosa Centifolia, whilst their colois have 
.even been more increased than their petals, and display a richness 
which rivals that of the gaudy Tulip, or the finest tints which the 
silk dyer is able to give to glossy velvet. The most ][)eauliful 
varieties have been raised from the seeds of the single purple 
Dahlia ; these are increased by two different modes ; First, by 
cuttings, which should be taken from the rootshoots in the spring, 
or from young shoots in the early part of the summer, these when 
cut off smoothly, in the middle of a joint, are to be planted in light 
sandy earth on a moderately hot bed, and covered with glasses. 
Tlie top leaves of the cuttings should be removed when ])lanted; 
tubers will thus be formed, which will produce flowers during 
autumn. The second mode is by grafting the shoots of valuable 
plants on the tubers of the more common kind. 
Dahlias should be planted in open situations and in a rich loamy 
soil ; the full grown roots to be put in the ground early in spring, 
at the place where they are to flower. The most admired are 
those which throw out their branches like a shrub, and are prolific 
of flowers, having «hort footstalks; the blossom should be clear, 
distinct in color and fully expanded. In examining the florets of 
this species, it will be seen that the filaments of the stamens are 
elastic, which by extension admit of the anther being protruded 
above the floret, by the impulse of the stigmas from within ; as 
charged with pollen they advance to their station through its five 
valved membrane, which opposes their outlet at the summit, with- 
drawing the same to its place when these have passed. The roots, 
which are tuberous, resembling a sweet potato, are used as an 
aliment by the Mexicans; these should be taken up in October, 
and preserved through the winter in boxes of dry sand, placed 
where the frost cannot penetrate. Dahlias have the best appear- 
ance when planted on lawns, forming clumps distinct from any 
other plant. They emblemize For ever thine. 
