Planting Instructions 
Roots 
Roots should be planted in trenches or holes, four inches 
deep in heavy soil and six inches deep in sandy soil, laid flat 
down (not on end) and covered with earth not over two 
inches in depth, filling in as the plant develops. Where drain¬ 
age is poor, do not plant so deep and keep a furrow open 
between rows to facilitate drainage in wet weather. 
Plants 
Plants are shipped in boxes three inches square with no 
bottoms. When received they should be carefully removed 
from the package and the moss and packing taken from the 
top of the boxes and the plant given a good watering, then 
set in a shaded spot for a day or two to let them freshen 
and harden up before planting. You do not need to remove 
the soil from the roots of the plants we ship you in our box 
bands as the dirt is especially mixed and will be of much 
benefit in the growth. Just remove the wooden band by 
unwrapping the band. The top of the boxes should be set 
about three inches below the level of the ground, watered 
well, and the hole partially filled when the plant is set and 
then gradually filled as the plant grows. If your soil is poor 
it is a good idea to prepare the ground ahead of time by 
using a good fertilizer for dahlias and working it in thor¬ 
oughly. Bonemeal is one of the safest fertilizers and a little, 
about three tablespoon'fuls, can be worked in the dirt under 
each hill and covered one inch, then planting on top of it. 
Grass cuttings and the leaves from soft wood trees like 
poplar, maple, boxwoods, and barn yard manure spaded in 
the ground in the fall or early spring improves the ground 
greatly. Where dahlia plants are to be set in heavy soil it is 
advisable to at least prepare the hill by mixing sand or 
the coarser part of coal ashes into the ground where the 
plants are to be set. 
Buy Michigan Grown Dahlias. 
They Grow the Best. 
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