PREMIER DAHLIA GARDENS 
They grow best in light, porous soil having 
good drainage. Sand, pulverized wall plaster, or 
fine coal ashes should be added to lighten heavy 
clayey soils. 
If manure is used it should be well rotted 
(best applied in the Fall) and thoroughly mixed 
with the soil which should be dug deep (12 to 
18 inches). 
A green cover crop of Winter Rye planted in 
the Fall and turned under in the Spring will add 
valuable humus to the soil. If the ground is 
worked over early in the Spring, good results 
will be obtained by planting a cover of Oats and 
Canada Field Peas. Green cover crops should 
not be permitted to grow tall and harden and 
should be turned under when about 12 inches 
high. They will then rot in from two to three 
weeks without loss of their benefits. About a 
week before planting time broadcast and spade 
under, commercial fertilizer of 4 per cent nitro¬ 
gen, 8 per cent phosphoric acid and 6 per cent 
potash (advertised as 4-8-6). Five pounds 
should cover approximately 200 square feet. 
Dahlias may be planted from May 1st to July 
1st, but in this locality June 1st to June 15th is 
best. They should be planted three feet apart in 
rows and the rows should be at least three feet 
apart, four feet or more is better if room is 
available. 
Drive a stake to support each plant. The 
stake should be four or five feet above ground. 
Never plant clumps, but separate the tubers, 
planting only one in each hole, being sure they 
have a growing eye. Lay tuber flat with eye 
up and two or three inches from the stake and 
about six inches deep. Cover two inches with 
pulverized soil gradually filling to level as plant 
progresses. Keep the top soil finely pulverized 
at all times by cultivating frequently; never 
allow it to harden. 
Watch for cut worms and protect plants from 
same by placing a ring of roof paper cut three 
and one-half inches high about the plant. If 
plant does not do well examine it closely and if 
it contains a stalk borer a small hole will be 
found in the side. Squirt a few drops of a mild 
solution of Black Leaf 40 in the hole. If the 
plant does not improve in a few days cut back 
the plant until you find the borer. Shade the 
plant from direct rays of sun for two or three 
days and it will in all probability make a quick 
recovery and a healthy growth. If troubled 
with Aphis or Leaf Hopper spray with “Ever- 
