NO TRANSACTION COMPLETE, UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH RESULTS 
PLANT SUPPORTS 
We use bamboo stakes six to seven feet in height and from one-half to one 
inch in thickness, and found these to be about as good if not better than any 
other kind of a stake we have yet tried. These cost an average of about five 
cents each, and are good for about four or five years. Where these cannot be 
procured, any kind of stake that is reasonably strong to hold the plant, which 
ordinarily is large and massive, is good enough. But above all else, it should 
be strong, so that when the heavy late fall winds come along, it should not 
break. This stake should be driven at least 12 inches and if possible 18 
inches into the hole, so that it will not sway and fall over when the heavy winds 
come. The pole or stake should be placed near edge of hole. 
PLANTING OF TUBER OR ROOT 
The tuber should be planted at least six to seven inches below the surface of 
the soil; this puts them down in the moist layers of the soil and prevents them 
from drying out or becoming stunted during the hot dry weather of mid-summer. 
Dahlias are great lovers of moisture, and this can only be constantly main 
tained at this depth. Then again it prevents them from being frozen when the 
frost comes along, and for this reason we strongly advise to plant roots at least 
six inches below soil level. 
Lay the tuber flat on its side; that is with long axis horizontal. Never 
plant a tuber upright or on end as the new roots are given out from the junction 
of the sprout with the tuber, and if these are not well covered, and in a con¬ 
stantly moist situation they will fail to develop the rootlet, which will event¬ 
ually become the roots or tubers. 
In planting place the tuber as mentioned above, with the eye or sprout 
upwards, and about an inch away from the stake, so that it can grow without 
hindrance. The eye can be found on the crown end of the tuber, the crown end 
is the portion where the tuber joined the stalk of the old plant from which it W'as 
taken. Cover this tube with about two inches of finely pulverized soil, then 
press down slightly around the tuber, but not near the eye or crown. If con¬ 
ditions are favorable the sprout will grow rapidly, and appear above the ground 
in one to two weeks. When this happens gradually pulverize a little more of the 
ground that you had previously taken from this hole, until the sprout is almost 
covered with soil. Continue this practice, until the hole is level with the sur¬ 
rounding soil. 
TO GROW BETTER DAHLIAS 
We invite you to join the American Dahlia Society and get their quarterly 
Bulletin, which is full of information, with hints and articles on the proper 
and up-to-date culture of the dahlia, as well as many interesting articles on 
dahlias, written especially for the readers of the Bulletin by amateur as well as 
commercial growers and also gives valuable information on the newer varieties. 
Send $2.00 to us or to Mr. C. Louis Ailing, the Secretary of the American 
Dahlia Society, 251 Court St., West Haven, Conn., and become a member. 
We feel sure that this little investment will save you many dollars in return, 
and show you how to grow larger and better dahlias. 
Page Sixty-two. 
