Helpful Hints on Growing Dahlias 
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 prop¬ 
erly 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 and 
shrubs. About two weeks before planting, scatter all over the 
ground a good potato fertilizer, composed of 2 per cent Nitro¬ 
gen, 6 per cent Muriate of Potash, and 8 per cent of Phos¬ 
phoric Acid together 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 sp'rout 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 stalk, 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 producing fine flowers. For extra large blooms, disbud by 
pinching off all buds in a cluster except the strongest one. 
For cut flowers, pick in the evening or early morning; burn 
the ends of stem in any flame or dip in boiling water for a 
minute; put at once in deep cold water and put in a cool place 
free from draft until wanted; never allow the faded flowers 
to remain on the bushes, but cut them off with as much stem 
or stalk as possible. Dahlias will continue to bloom until a 
heavy frost kills the tops in the Fall. In a cold climate they 
should be dug shortly afterwards and stored in a dry frost¬ 
proof cellar, away from heat. Cover with dry soil or peat to 
keep them from shriveling; inverting them may keep them 
from rotting; it is advisable to look after them occasionally. 
Divide in the Spring after the eyes begin to show, being care¬ 
ful that each root has an eye. 
Member of the 
AMERICAN DAHLIA SOCIETY 
Member of the 
DAHLIA SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA 
[12 1 
