6 
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. The dahlia is the most aristocratic of the bulbous 
flower family and the most gorgeous of all flowers. It is in continuous bloom 
after the first buds open until freezing occurs. Few flowers can compare with the 
dahlia in variety of formation, size, color and general beauty. More than a dozen 
types and thousands of varieties are now being cultivated which in their various 
forms range in size from the tiniest pompons to the magnificent decoratives and 
hybrid cactus. 
More wonderful perhaps is their color range, as almost any color or blending 
of colors may be had from snow white through the various shades of pink and red 
to the darkest maroon; from the lightest salmon tint to the deepest yellow and 
bronze, and through all the delicate mauve and purple hues. 
CARE AND CULTIVATION. For the benefit of those unaccustomed to growing 
dahlias we cover this subject in detail in every spring bulletin. 
Use good garden soil if possible. Riant in a location of ample sunshine. 
Plant 2 to 2-|- feet apart each way and 5 to 6 inches deep. Lay the tuber flat down 
with sprout facing up, then fill in to ground level. When plants attain a height 
of 2 feet apply a dressing of well rotted manure and hoe into soil. Cultivate 
freely until plants begin to flower, then use shallow cultivation which will con¬ 
serve the moisture and not disturb the new roots which are now forming near the 
surface. In the Northwest the planting should be done about May 1st to 10th, or 
whenever the ground is warm enough. For finest flowers allow not more than two 
stalks to grow in each hill, one is preferable. To avoid plants being blown over 
they should be staked. Drive a short stake 4 inches from the tuber at planting 
time, then replace with taller stake when plant is 2 feet high. A string made of 
cloth or other heavy material should be used to tie them to the stake. We use 
binder twine. Many of the newer dahlias of heavy foliage and large blossoms re¬ 
quire double staking, stakes set on opposite sides of the plant and the plant 
tied to both stakes. 
It might appear that much of the above detailed instruction could be omitted, 
but since the dahlia is so rapidly gaining in popularity it is desired that all 
flower lovers know successful methods of their culture. 
CORRECT WATERING METHODS. Be careful about watering. The larger plants with 
more leaf surface are more likely to require water than the younger ones, for it is 
through the leaves that water is withdrawn from the plant. If the leaves appear 
limp and hang like rags then water is needed - though this is not likely often to 
happen if the soil has been kept stirred. The dahlia plant uses more water while 
blooming than at any other time. 
Too often is the hose played lightly on the growing dahlia garden, dampening 
a little here and a little there but really wetting nothing except the foliage. 
This does more harm than good, for it draws the feed roots upward in search of the 
promised moisture which is not there. It is surprising what length of time a'hose 
must be directed on one spot for the water to equal a half inch rainfall. It is 
claimed that less than that docs not reach the feed roots when the soil is dry. 
If sprinkled with the watering can, one authority states that two gallons of water 
to the square yard is required to be beneficial. Irrigation is excellent for the 
production of fine flowers for it makes more food available for the dahlia than 
would be otherwise possible in dry weather. We recommend it for every garden 
where flowers are the major requisite. However, dahlias can be kept so wet that 
tubers will be watery and worthless. The plant roots must have ample time between 
waterings to properly utilize the moisture. It never hurts any plant to have to 
beg a little for a drink provided it is kept well cultivated. 
The soil should be stirred after every watering and after every rain until the 
plants begin to bloom. After the last cultivation it is sometimes possible on 
\ stria 11 gardens to spread straw around each hill and over all the ground 
