December 2, 1893. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
213 
HOW TO GROW 
DAHLIAS. 
The above was the title and subject matter of a 
paper recently read by Mr. J. Hathaway, gardener 
to the Earl of Lathom, at Lathom House, Ormskirk, 
at a recent meeting of the Preston and Fulwcod 
Horticultural Society. Mr. Hathaway said :— 
It might not be one of the choicest flowers, but it 
was easily grown and gave a wealth of bloom in 
return for the care bestowed upon it. Moreover, 
there was at the present time such a range of form 
and colour among the various classes of Dahlias to 
suit almost every taste. There were the large show 
Dahlias, which, when thoroughly well grown, were 
than to trust to seedlings, nine-tenths of which 
might turn out nearly worthless. 
The Dahlia was best propagated from cuttings. 
The old roots which had been stored in a cool place 
during the winter, should be put in boxes of leaf 
soil and sand, and placed in a moderate heat 
about the beginning of March, when they would 
quickly start into growth if kept syringed, and 
would produce numerous cuttings. These should 
be taken off nearly close to the old plant when 
about three inches long, and he placed three 
cuttings round the sides of three inch pots in 
a light sandy soil. These should be in a bottom 
heat of about 75 or 80 degs., and be kept close until 
rooted. They should be shaded from very bright 
Dahlia in the north of England. A good practice 
was to mark out the places allotted to them. When 
planted in masses, or beds, much taste, accompanied 
with a knowledge of the varieties with regard to 
colour and height, is needed so as to keep the tallest at 
the back or in the centre of the mass. Some of the 
catalogues gave a description of their height and 
colour, but generally the show varieties were the 
tallest and strongest growers. Many of the single 
varieties were also tall growers, while the bouquet 
or pompon varieties were more slender and dwarf, 
so that in planting these should form the margin or 
outer rows. Attention must be paid to tying the 
plants as they required it, as they are easily broken 
by the wind. Pegging down the Dahlia was not so 
The Record Onion : Weight, 4J lbs. ; Circumference, 22 ins. 
perfect models of size, form, and colour. Then 
there were the pompons, perfect in shape, varied in 
colour, very floriferous, and useful for cutting, 
besides making a good display in the borders until 
destroyed by frost. Next they had the cactus 
section, which, to his thinking, was the best for 
many reasons. Of course, he meant the true cactus 
varieties, because there were several so called that 
were little better than badly-formed show Dahlias. 
And last, but not least, they had the single Dahlia, 
which was light and graceful for decoration, and 
looked well when set up with its own foliage and 
buds. Here also they had many beautiful shades 
of colour from which to make a selection ; and 
although these were easily raised from seed, he 
thought it was more satisfactory to make a selection 
of the best varieties, and grow them from cuttings. 
sun, and should not be allowed to flag. When 
rooted, they should at once be potted singly in 3J 
inch pots. They should be placed where they 
could be kept close for a few days, until rooted into 
the fresh soil, then syringed over on bright after¬ 
noons, and shaded from very bright sunshine. 
When well rooted in these pots remove them to a 
cold frame, and gradually harden them off, until the 
lights might be taken off altogether on fine days and 
mild nights. Cuttings treated in this way were 
usually strong sturdy plants by planting time, and 
afterwards the plants grew rapidly, and flowered 
freely during the early autumn. Most of the Dahlias 
were strong rooting and gross feeders, and to obtain 
fine flowers in plenty they must be well supported 
with stimulants. The end of May or beginning of 
June was as early as it was safe to plant out the 
much practised as it might be. Where dwarf masses 
were required, and stakes none too plentiful, this 
system had much to recommend it. Moreover, the 
pjants were more readily protected from early frosts. 
If required, they might be planted quite six feet or 
even more apart, and by a little care in pegging 
would cover the whole of the soil. For this system 
the plants should be laid sideways in planting, and 
need constantly watching and pegging at the points, 
for if this is neglected they were liable to be broken 
in the operation. They need not be pegged down 
any more when the whole ofthe surface was covered, 
when they would soon be a mass of flowers about 
ift. 6in. or 2ft. in height, and need no stakes to 
support them. If dry weather set in they should.be 
well watered, and would do with plenty of liquid 
manure, especially when flowering. To grow large 
