buds that usually come in a cluster, pinching out the side 
two. New branches will appear in the form of laterals 
between the leaves and the stalk. These should also be 
pinched out and it is well to pinch out three sets of laterals 
be.ow the remaining bud. This will keep your plant low 
and bushy and you wid have many flowers on long stems 
from branches below which will develop rapidly. 
Fertilization —When buds appear, which is usually about 
the 20th to the 25th of August, it is well to give them a 
top dressing of fertilizer and we suggest at this time 
iy 2 lbs. of bonemeal flour, \ l / 2 lbs. of animal tankage and 
1 lb. of muriate of potash or sulphate of potash. Mix well 
and broadcast not closer than 6 inches nor more than 18 
inches from the stalk. The foregoing formula is sufficient 
for one application to ten hills. 
Cut Flowers — Dahlias should be cut in the early morning 
or in the evening after sundown. After flowers are cut 
dip stems into hot water (about boiling) for one or two 
minutes. Then place in deep cold water in a cedar for a 
few hours to freshen. Flowers then may be ready to ship 
by packing in strong corrugated boxes, laid out in florists 
tissue paper. It might be well to fold up newspapers to 
act as a pillow for the large blooms to rest on in order to 
avoid bruising. 
Storage — After the black frost has killed the dahlias, cut 
the tops at the ground and dig them carefully with a good 
fork, being careful not to strain the necks of the roots. 
Cut stalk within 2 inches of crown and allow clumps to 
dry out in the sun three or four hours before placing into 
barrels or boxes. Suggest that clumps be placed in in¬ 
verted position while cliying, in order that water in stems 
will drain out. It is well to allow soil to cling to clumps 
to prevent root necks from breaking and excessive drying 
of tubers. A good potato cellar is very desirable as a 
storage bin for dahlias. If this is not available, keep them 
as far as possible from the heater and in a space where 
the temperature will not go below 40 degrees nor above 55 
degrees. 
Preparing Soil for Next Year — After roots have been dug 
spade the garden and plant winter rye. If your soil has a 
tendency to be acid would broadcast lime stone over it. 
The spreading of cow manure over the winter rye will also 
be very beneficial. Turn rye over just before it goes into 
stalk which in this climate is usually about the first week 
in May. 
