LEIFER’S 1934 PRICE LIST 
3 
A FEW REMARKS OF INTEREST TO OUR 
READERS AND PATRONS 
Our Dahlias are grown on land that has produced 
many crops of rice and is not at all considered rich 
soil. After being in rice several years, the soil be¬ 
comes very compact, and we use the ashes from the 
burnt rice straw stacks to loosen the soil and make 
it more friable. 
Our Dahlias are grown only for the roots, and for 
that reason we use no fertilizer, about one-half gal¬ 
lon of ashes is mixed with the soil at planting time 
where the roots are placed. 
We space our Dahlias from three to four feet apart 
in rows five feet apart, which insures each plant 
getting its needed supply of mineral nourishment, 
which all root crops require for best results. We go 
through the plantings every week, noting the condi¬ 
tion and behavior of all, and destroy any that show 
variation from type, or delayed growth. When flow¬ 
ering begins, we are with them every day, and in 
large plantings, sports, and plants reverting to some 
former parentage may appear which are promptly 
pulled out. Last year was our first experience with 
plants reverting, we had three varieties act this way, 
and destroyed all the offenders. We had one sport 
of a gorgeous rich red and formation like Jane Cowl, 
which came on a branch of Charles Stratton, and 
are reserving what few roots we have of this variety 
for further trial, and what we sell of this variety 
this year will be from another grower. 
Our records of last year’s business are intact, and 
we are going to replace free all of the offending 
varieties that were sent out on orders last year. 
The best guide to soil requirements for Dahlias 
is what would be required for a good crop of Irish 
potatoes. Easily working soil that does not bake in 
hot dry weather, and enough moisture when needed, 
but remember that Dahlia roots will rot when too 
wet, and that is why we grow them on ridges. Our 
instruction sheet which goes out with every order 
will give more detailed information. 
We are going to have many of these highly boosted 
newer varieties of Dahlias again this year, and want 
you to come here in September or October and see 
how they are behaving with us. If they prove to 
be fine, we will derive much pleasure sharing your 
admiration; if they prove disappointing, it will only 
confirm our convictions in preaching to you on the 
folly of spending money on high-priced novelties. 
Come if you can, there is plenty to see here during 
the fall months. 
