WHY I GROW THE CHOICEST DAHLIAS 
From year toj year I get new varieties of dahlias both my own or¬ 
iginating and the choicest of other originaorts of fine dahlias, and when 
better dahlias are originated I shall endeavor to have them to offer to 
you. I try and keep my number of varieties down by only having the bet¬ 
ter of the old varieties, and the very best of the new varieties. My custo¬ 
mers in buying DAHLIAS from me may do so with the definite assurance 
that my list of dahlias will constantly improve as newer varieties are 
made available. 
My prices have been lowered in keeping with the times and I am 
sure you will find listed here many varieties that will make a wonderful 
addition to your garden. 
As to planting dahlias and keeping the roots, every one has his or 
her own way and I would say that if it satisfactory to you, do not change 
it. 
I would suggest the following, and if you are not having Satisfac¬ 
tory results, this may be of great use to you. 
When you receive the bulbs in the spring about the first of May, 
keep them away from heat and air as it may cause them to dry out and 
they will shrivel up, and if they do shrivel up some, then you may moist¬ 
en them; it will not injure them to do so. 
Plant them sometime after May fifteen and June ten, late planting 
preferred to early \ for best results, as they are not a summer flower, but 
like the cool weather better in the fall. 
They can be planted from thirty to thirty six inches apart and a- 
bout six inches deep, and placed on the side, but never on end. 
If they grow very high place a stake at the bud end at time of 
planting, and after they get a good start you may pinch out the center 
and they will not grow so ; tall, but will branch out. 
If you want enormous blooms, and not so many blooms, pinch off 
the outer buds and leave the center one. 
A good time to dig the roots is about ten day after a killing frost, 
and then the bulbs are ripened. 
When the bulbs are dry place them in the cellar that will not 
freeze, yet one that is not damp, not a real hot cellar, but one that will 
keep frost out, if not, you may place the tubers in some dry peat moss; 
it will keep away the heat, also the cold. 
At planting time is when you should do your dividing of the clumps. 
Make divisions so there will only be one eye to the hill, as one is better 
than half a dozen is my experience, then you will get flowers, not a lot 
of blush. 
Do not make your garden too rich for dahlias. Any good vegetable 
garden ought to grow good dahlias. 
Cow manure, worked ip to the soil in the fall, is the best for most 
any kind of flowers, but do not let fresh manure come in contact with 
any bulbs. Yet any good potash fertilizer will be all right if care is used 
so as not to let it come in contact with the bulbs, nor foliage, as it will 
burn it, and may kill it. 
By following these suggestions you should have wonderful suc¬ 
cess if you are growing NORTHERN GROWN BULBS. 
Sincerely yours, 
JOEL JOHNSTON 
