Ill 
SPUING WORK 
73 
want a little pruning, but be careful in doing 
so not to cut off the flowering branches. 
When the first days of March arrive—of 
course always supposing the weather to be 
favourable—any cuttings of hardy plants that 
you took in autumn could be planted in the 
garden. For instance, pansies and violas could 
go out, and any carnations, to the places where 
they are to flower. 
If you look at the gardeners in the hot¬ 
houses, if there are any at your home, you will 
find them now taking cuttings from the dahlias. 
The roots, which have been dried and stored all 
the winter, are put with a little earth and sand 
in heat, and cuttings made of the young shoots 
that spring up. If you have room in your 
garden, and are really taking care of it, I feel 
sure you could persuade the gardener to put in 
a few more cuttings than he wants and let you 
have them. It will be May before they could 
safely be planted out in your garden ; but once 
you have a few young plants, you can be sure of 
your dahlias every year. As soon as the frost 
comes in the autumn, you must dig up the 
tuberous roots, dry them, and pack them away 
in an old box, and cover them up with a sack 
or straw, or such like, to keep away the frost. 
Then store them in any shelter you can find— 
your own little tool-house if you have one. 
