tributed over many others, resulting in a natural crossing of varieties, giving new seed an inheritance 
ot some of the characteristics and habits of all that has gone before in its parent plants. 
However, it is just this uncertainty that makes the growing of Dahlias from seeds so interesting 
and there is always the possibility of developing a new variety which will be superior to any we have 
as yet discovered. Many new varieties are produced from seed each year that are well worth while and 
there is considerable pleasure in discovering them. In the bulletin issued by the many Dahlia Societies 
and in the magazines devoted to flower culture, there is much argument and discussion about whether 
better Dahlia seedlings come from seed that are artificially, or hand crossed, or whether the best seed¬ 
lings come from seed which are grown where the crossing or pollenization is produced naturally by the 
pollen being carried from one flower to another by the wind, bees, butterflies, or other insects, and the 
discussion still rages. 
We take some seed by experimenting with hand crossing or pollenization between flowers we like, 
trying to produce the best characteristics of both in the seed, and we take some seed from our best 
flowers, relying upon the natural crossing and pollenization by the wind, bees, etc.; and while the arti¬ 
ficial crossing is interesting, we find where we exercise great care in the selection of the parent plants, 
which we believe is the great essential in producing the best seed, that the result from natural crossing 
is entirely satisfactory, and, where we have selected our own seed, and where we have bought seed from 
reliable growers produced naturally, we find that those results are entirely satisfactory. While we will 
continue to experiment with artificial crossing, getting a great deal of satisfaction out of the experiment, 
we will continue to rely upon seed produced through natural crossing as well. 
The seed which we offer for distribution is either grown by ourselves and selected carefully or 
seed grown tor us by reliable growers in whom we have the greatest confidence. We plant from both 
ot the varieties ot Dahlia seed we offer. It is hard to tell which gives the best results. We find them 
both satisfactory. No experiment with the flowers in your garden will give you more agreeable sur¬ 
prises or pleasure than your Dahlia from seed. Try them in 1935. 
Instructions for Planting Dahlia Seed 
D AHLIA seecf should be planted in shallow boxes which have been filled three-quarters full of sandy 
leaf mould or any good garden soil, just like you use for sowing cabbage or tomato seed, in 
March or April, preferably for this latitude. Smooth the surface of the soil over with a smooth board. 
Then place the seed about an inch apart each way or place the seed in little furrows about l/ 2 to 2 
inches apart in the earth made by passing the sharp edge of a ruler or other similar tool on the sur¬ 
face and cover seed with an eighth to a quarter of an inch of sharp sand and earth equally mixed, just 
as you would cabbage or tomato seed. Place the seeds in a warm, moist place indoors and see that 
the soil is not permitted to become dry. Do not place outside unless you are in a frostless belt. 
To preserve moisture, glass may be put over the boxes or flates, but f the sun shines on them, they 
should be protected from the sun by a single sheet of paper over the glass, otherwise too great a heat 
will develop between the glass and the soil and your plants will dry up. Remove the paper at night 
or in dark weather. Some seed will sprout in four or five days, some in ten days and they will con¬ 
tinue to sprout for two months. Many say the slow sprouting seeds produce the finest and best Dahlias. 
When the seeds are up and about one inch high, take them out and transplant them either to 
another box or flat, spaced three or four inches apart, or put them into three inch pots. Do this with¬ 
out interfering with the other seeds by using a sharp, pointed stick, driving it down into the soil next 
to each seedling and lift same up. In the pots they can be kept growing slowly until ready to go in the 
open, and when planted in the open they should be planted about one and one-half feet apart, allowing 
two or three feet between the rows. Transplant to the open garden only when danger of frost is over. 
When transplanting to the open ground, set the plant so that it will be one and one-half to two 
inches lower than it was in the pot or flat, then cultivate the same as you cultivate other Dahlias, but 
do not stake and do not disbud. This will enable you to observe the habits of the plant under natural 
conditions. Those plants which do not show themselves with merit should be Immediately chopped out 
and this will give plenty of room for the plants which are worth while. 
If these instructions are followed, practically all your seeds will make large plants that will pro¬ 
duce a profusion of blooms the first year. They will make good clumps of roots which should be lifted 
after the plants are cut down by frost. Mark each clump with a number and write a description of its 
habits of growth, flowering, stern, colors, size and variety for future reference. Do not hesitate to dis¬ 
card any Dahlia not worthwhile. Store the clump, from seed in a dry frost-proof ventilated cellar and 
after marking it is a good plan the first year to wrap the new clumps you decide to keep in newspapers 
and store in boxes. If your roots produce true three years without reverting or changing your new 
Dahlia will likely continue to prove satisfactory. For prices see bottom inside back cover. 
-O- 
Assurance, W. Va., Oct. 4, 1934 
****“Bu C key e Bride and F. W. Fellows are both wonderful. My Dahlias are beautiful this fall. 
My White Wonder is most excellent.” 
-O- 
Obion, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1934 
”1 want to tell you about the beautiful Dahlias I grew from your bulbs. The Cocheagan was an 
immense thing. 1 cut Dahlias that measured twelve inches. The Kitty Dunlap was beautiful but not 
so large. They sure were fine. We were delighted with them.”**** 
KENDAHLIA GARDENS, INC. - 
32 
Sandusky, Ohio 
