/. V. Edliiml 
White Bear Lake, Minn 
Dahlias 
Dahlias are easily grown, requiring no special soil or treatment to bring 
them to perfection. They like an open, sunny situation, but also succeed in 
partial afternoon shade. 
Prepare the soil thoroughly by spading 12 to 18 inches deep, and if the 
soil is poor work in some 2-16-8 Commercial fertilizer about two weeks in 
advance of planting, about six or seven pounds to 100 square feet. Dig holes 
3 to 4 feet apart and about 5 inches deep; drive a stout stake in each hole and 
lay the tuber down flat with the crown toward the stake and the eye upward, 
then cover with 2 or 3 inches of soil, leaving the balance of the hole to be 
filled up later, after the plant comes up. 
Plant any time from May 15th to June 15th in this vicinity, the later date 
being the best for exhibition flowers. 
To prevent the plants from growing too tall, they can be pinched back at 
the top when they have made their third set of haves, this will make them 
branch and we think produce more blooms. 
Allow only one plant to each stake. Tie plant securely to stake as it 
continues to grow. Cultivate- at least once every week and after each rain, 
until the buds appear, rake in the soil a handful of hardwood ashes if possible 
and mulch the ground with well-rotted manure or lawn clippings and water 
tlioroughly whenever the plants need it. 
Disbudding the side buds, leaving only the terminal bud to develop, will 
bring larger blossoms. 
After the plants have been killed by hard frost they should be carefully 
dug, allowed to dry a few hours, and stored in a dry cellar, tops down and with 
dry soil over them to keep from shriveling. We have them stored in boxes 
or barrels and covered them with dry jDeat with excellent results. 
IMPORTANT 
Of recent years thrip has become so prevalent that it is necessary to spray, 
at weekly intervals during the growing season. 
Often times the producer is blamed for poor stock when it has been the 
work of the thrip or aphis. 
Thrips are tiny insects that enter the growing tip or shoot and chafe the 
newly formed leaves, injuring them so that they develop malformed and curled. 
These insects seem to enjoy the life blood of certain varieties on account of 
its flavor and do not molest the adjacent bush. 
If the attack is not checked it will result in a stunted bush; we use a 
solution of Evergreen. 
GREEN PLANTS 
Our cuttings are taken from stock of healthy named varieties and grown 
cold, it has been our experience that cold grown plants will establish them¬ 
selves more quickly than if grown under a very warm condition when they are 
moved to the field and they need not be protected against the warm sun. 
The popularity of our green plants is growing fast, and we suggest that 
you give them a trial on your next order if you are buying the higher-priced 
varieties, as plants are about one-half of root price in most cases. Green 
plants when properly grown from healthy stock, give equal or better blooms 
than from roots. 
Plants should be set a little deeper than roots, plant at least six inches 
deep, the lower leaves may be removed if necessary, the after-cultivation and 
care of plants should be the same as for roots. Our plants will be ready for 
shipment after May 20th. 
Full Illustrated Cultural Directions furnished with each order. 
