Helpful H ints on Growing Dahl ias 
Prepare the soil in the Fall or early Spring by spading 
18 to 24 inches deep. Work in thoroughly well-rotted 
manure, which restores the necessary properties and makes 
the soil mellow... Dahlias will grow in almost any kind of 
soil if properly planted and cultivated. Lighter soil requires 
more manure or humus producing materials to hold the 
moisture. Heavy soil requires less fertilizer than light soil. 
In clay or adobe soil, mix well with sand or coal ashes 
well spaded in. Never plant when soil is wet and soggy; 
when possible plant in an open sunny location, at least 3 
feet apart, out of reach of trees or shrubs. About two weeks 
before planting, scatter all over the ground a good potato 
fertilizer, composed of 2 per cent. Nitrogen, 6 per cent. 
Muriate of Potash, and 8 per cent, of Phosphoric Acid to¬ 
gether with an equal amount of bone meal; spade this in 
well. In light soil, plant tuber 6 inches deep, in heavy 
soil, 4 inches deep, covering at first with two inches of 
soil, filling in gradually as plant grows. Lay the root down 
flat, with eye or sprout up, surrounding it with sand or 
light soil, never letting any fertilizer come in contact with 
the root. Just as soon as the plants are up, keep the soil 
loose and mellow by hoeing once or twice a week; water 
slightly once or twice a week, especially in hot weather, 
do not let them dry out. 
When the plants have set out three sets of leaves, pinch 
out the top, giving the plants a chance to branch. When 
the buds appear stop all cultivation and give the plants 
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. 
When buds appear, soak the ground thoroughly about 
once a week or oftener. 
Watering is one of the most essential things in pro¬ 
ducing fine flowers. For extra large blooms, disbud by 
pinching off all buds in a cluster except the strongest one. 
