PI? I) PAGATION 
S9 
3d. The color in itself should be dense and Clear; if in an edged 
flower, concentrated and well defined; and in both cases penetrating 
through the petal with an appearance of substance and solidity. 
4th. Size must be comparative. 
PROPAGATION. 
The Dahlia may be propagated from tubers, by slips or cuttings, or 
from seed. 
Propagation from Seed. 
This method is now seldom practised, except by those who desire 
to obtain new varieties by hybridising between two distinct species 
or choice varieties. The proper time for sowing the seed is in March 
or April, in light soil in shallow boxes or pans, which are placed in a 
moderate hot bed to promote their germination ; though some florists 
think that plants as vigorous, if not more so, may be obtained from 
seed sown in a warm and well-sheltered border toward the end of 
April, or in the early part of May, provided the young plants are pro¬ 
tected during the night and guarded from casual frosts; or the seed 
may be sown in pans in March in the house, and put out in the open 
air on mild days, to accustom them to the external atmosphere. In 
any treatment, when the seed leaves are fully developed, they must be 
allowed plenty of fresh air, or placed in a cold frame, taking care that 
they are put as near as possible to the glass, to prevent their .being 
drawn and growing lanky; they may also be potted singly, or three 
Dr four together, as soon as they will bear handling. When they 
have four leaves, they may be treated in every respect as old plants 
and from the twentieth of May to the middle of June, they may be 
planted where it is intended they should flower. 
Seed Gathering .—The seed should be collected in Sej tember from 
dwarf plants, where no preference exists on other accounts ; and, when 
double varieties are principally sought for, from semi-double flowers. 
Seeds procured from those florets, which have changed their form, are 
