92 
TREATMENT. 
naturally damp, rich, of good depth, and on a dry bottom. The soil, 
however, is rarely so good that it cannot be improved for the purpose 
for which it is desired, and it is recommended that those who would 
grow the Dahlia to perfection should trench the ground in November, 
previous to its being required, cy first removing the soil to the depth 
of twelve inches, and replacing it with equal portions of good yellow 
loam and peat earth; and then trenching it again to the depth of two 
feet, mixing the original sub-soil an * the loam and peat thoroughly 
together, with a large quantity of staole manure, thoroughly decayed, 
or it will be injurious. This may seem an expensive process, but once 
done it will need no further preparation for many years, except the 
occasional addition of manure. 
N. B.—In a strong clay soil, enriched with well-decayed manure, 
the Dahlia produces the largest flowers ; in alight soil, the plant grows 
to a great size, but the flowers are comparatively small. 
ft —- 
TREATMENT. 
Those who h^ve no hot bed wherein to start their Dahlias into a 
growing state, may do so with equal success, and may obtain even 
more vigorous and better-blooming plants than those which are 
excited by artificial heat, by planting them in March or April in a box 
of light soil or decayed leaves, keeping it in a moist state, and expos¬ 
ing them to the full heat of the sun throughout the day, and taking 
them in-doors at night. When tne shoots are three or four inches 
long, they may all, except one, be taken off close to the tuber, and 
treated as slips; but if you can divide the tuber into as many pieces 
as there are shoots, it is to be preferred. 
Planting Out. 
There are few situations, in the Middle and Northern States, where 
Dahlia plants can be planted out with safety before April, May, or the 
early part of June. When the operation is performed, the plants, if on 
beds by themselves, which is desirable, should be set in rows not less 
