Gold Medal Dahlias 
FISHER & MASSON 
Cultural Directions—C ontinued 
CULTIVATION 
As soon as the plants are up, begin hoeing once or twice a week to keep the soil from forming 
a crust on the surface or baking. If many sprouts start up, cut off all but one or tvvo. One 
stalk is best for exhibition flowers. When the plants have set out three sets of leaves, pinch out 
the top, so as to give the plants a chance to branch. 
DISBUDDING 
The “pinching out of the top process’’ will give you twice as many blooms and keeps your 
plant more compact than by allowing the first bud to flower, this will permit four laterals to 
develop, if you are aiming for large exhibition blooms, disbud these laterals down to the last pair of 
side shoots, then when you cut your flower for exhibition you will have several side shoots still to 
bloom. Never strip the laterals from the bottom of a plant, keep plant low and as near its source 
of sustenance as possible, the less distance the plant food has to travel the sooner it gets in its 
work. Tie main stalk to stake to prevent plants from breaking down. When the buds appear, stop 
cultivation and give the beds a mulch of manure, leaves, grass clippings, etc., and around the base 
of each plant place a shovelful of well-rotted manure, if possible. Keep all fertilizers away 
from the stalks, and the ground free from weeds. Dahlias must be kept growing; if you notice 
them apparently standing still, not making any growth, examine the leaves and see if they have 
been attacked by aphis, thrip or the white fly. These pests are particularly prevalent during HOT, 
DRY WEATHER, and are so small as to be almost undiscerna-ble. Spraying with a hose will 
eliminate them to a slight extent, but we have found using the new pyrethrum or RED ARROW 
Spray made by McCormick & Co., Inc., Baltimore, Md., (and to be purchased from all seed stores) 
to be the best possible remedy for these insects. These sucking insects are the cause of many 
stunted or runted dahlia plants and is not a disease, which term is used by a majority of the 
growers when they have not apparently been able to find the “cause” of the stunt. 
WATERING 
Do not water until the plants are in bud UNLESS the weather has been unusually hot and 
dry and the adjoining ground is not moist, roots will decay in wet ground. Thorough and deep 
cultivation will keep the moisture in the gound during the driest kind of weather. When the plants 
begin to bloom, water liberally at least twice a week, soak the soil thoroughly so that the water 
will reach the roots. Spray the foliage, especially after the heat of the day during hot spells. 
Many make a basin-shaped mound of earth around the plants about two feet in diameter in 
which is to conserve the water. Watering is one of the most essential things in producing fine flowers. 
STORAGE 
After a black frost has killed the tops of the dahlias, cut off the tops at the ground, then 
dig with a garden fork, being careful not to strain .the necks of the roots. Cut the stalk to 
within about two inches of the crown and apply sulphur to the cut, which will protect stalk from 
rot, allow your clumps to dry out in the sun for three or four hours, then place them in boxes 
or barrels in an old-fashioned potato cellar (if possible) or as far away from the heater as possible, 
in an even temperature of not below 40 degrees and not above 55 degrees. Visit the cellar regu¬ 
larly. Examine the roots, removing with a sharp knife any rotted portions, and apply hydrated 
lime or sulphur to the exposed portion. 
General Information and Shipping Instructions 
FULL DIRECTIONS for planting are included in every shipment of roots, also valuable in¬ 
formation concerning the proper preparation of flowers for exhibitions, explaining the necessary 
qualification of flowers to be entered for competition. We will also be very glad to answer any 
questions to the best of our ability that you may care to ask us. 
PLANTS—We have been very successful during the past season in shipping green plants long 
distances, we therefore recommend to experienced growers, green plants -for fine exhibition flowers. 
ASSORTMENTS—Page (21) of catalogue contains some very attractive collections of dahlias. 
Selections left to us by patrons unacquainted with dahlias will be generously dealt with. 
ORDER EARLY—Directing iis when t-o send them. Early orders are solicited to prevent dis¬ 
appointment in case our stock of those selected has been depleted. IP YOU DO NOT FIND THE 
VARIETIES YOU WANT IN THIS CATALOGUE, WRITE US. WE HAVE MANY OF WHICH 
STOCK IS TOO LIMITED TO CATALOGUE. 
TERMS—REMITTANCE with order. All retail orders over $1.00 are delivered prepaid, add 25c 
for postage on orders less than $1.00. 
Orders of green plants for less than $5.00, add 25c for S. D. postage. 
FORWARDING—Orders of roots are shipped as soon after April 1st as convenient, unless 
otherwise notified. 
WE GUARANTEE all roots true to name and also their arrivals in good growing condition. 
We cheerfully -replace any that should arrive otherwise. KINDLY NOTIFY US AT ONCE. All 
roots sent out before March 15th are sent at buyer’s risk. Although every precaution will be 
taken, they are not guaranteed against freezing. 
Orders are carefully filled from selected field-grown roots. We do not substitute unless requested. 
Do not be discouraged if a dahlia from a different locality does not do well the first season 
it is planted. Try it again the second year, as many varieties need to be acclimated. 
Address all communications to: 
FISHER & MASSON 
“Sanhican Gardens” 
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 
Page Twenty-two 
