Dahlias should have as much room and sunsnine as possible. 
Use good garden soil if possible. Plant 2 to 2 l/2 feet 
apart each way and 5 to 6 inches deep. The soil beneath 
the tuber may be thoroughly nixed with a small amount of 
well rotted manure. Lay the tuber flat down with sprout 
facing up, then fill in to ground level. When plants are 
2 ft. high, apply a dressing of well rotted manure and hoe 
into soil. Cultivate freely until plants begin to flower, 
then use shallow cultivation which will conserve the moist¬ 
ure and not disturb the new roots which are now forming 
near the surface. Plant whenever the ground seems warn 
and dry enough, about May 1st to 15th in the northwest. Por 
finest flowers allow not more than two stocks to grow in 
each hill. To avoid plants being blown over, they should 
be staked. Drive a short stake 4 in. from the tuber at 
planting time, then replace with taller stake when plant 
pfs 2 ft. high, We use binder twine to tie our dahlias. 
Many of the newer dahlias require double stating because 
of their heavy foliage and large blossoms. Set stakes on 
opposite sides of the plant and tie across. 
It might appear that much of the above detailed instruct¬ 
ion could be omitted but since the dahlia is so rapidly 
gaining in popularity, every one should know successful 
methods of its culture. Very few insect pests bother dani- 
ias to any great extent. A spray of Black Leaf Forty used 
with a weak soap sms will put an end to insect ravages if 
applied with care to both the upper and lower sides of the 
foliage about every week. 
DIGGIi-JG ADD STQEIITG: Por the benefit of those unaccustomed 
to handling dahlia tubers and to those who have experienced 
difficulty in wintering some of the less handy varieties, 
we give our own experience; in digging, lift the clumps 
carefully lest the neck of the tuber be broken, leave out¬ 
side only long enough to dry off BUT HOT DPY OUT. Remove 
to basement and keep where cool. Leave plenty of dirt on 
clumps. In packing use metal containers, first placing an 
inch or so of dust or dry sand in bottom of container. Pill 
with clumps, leaving space of three inches at top for pack¬ 
ing material, then finish filling container‘with the mater¬ 
ial you are using, either dust or dig' sand. Hever cover 
top of container nor use cloddy dirt. Examine tubers often 
and if moist, remove and dry off, then repack. 
