A CORNER OF OUR SHOW GARDEN TAKEN AT OUR FORMER NORTH OLMSTED 
FARM. DAUGHTER. BETTY JANE. STANDING BEHIND PLANTS OF 
"FRANK SERPA." 
How To Handle Cut Flowers So They Will Keep 
The life of dahlia blooms after they are cut may be very much prolonged by a few 
simple precautions taken at the time of cutting. 
First of all, cut only FULLY MATURED blooms. Flowers with a withered petal or 
two on the back will keep longer, under similar conditions, than young blooms. If 
desired, the withered petals may be picked, or cut off. Cut a longer stem than will be 
necessary in the vase or container for which the flowers are wanted. 
Cut the flowers early in the morning before they start to wilt, or late in the eve¬ 
ning after they have revived from the effects of the sun and winds of the day. Make 
the cut with a sharp knife so that the microscopic tubes in the stem, which supply water 
to the flower head, are not crushed. 
Flowers should be cut at least eight hours before it is planned to use them. As soon 
after cutting as possible, the stems should be placed in deep cool water in a cool, 
draughtless and dark part of the basement, for the period of eight hours or more. When 
putting the flowers in water in the basement, it is to considerable advantage, to trim off 
an inch or two of the stem under water. This cuts off the portion of the stem into which 
air may have entered the microscopic tubes and choked off the supply of water passing 
up to the flower head. When the supply of water fails, of course the flowers wilt. 
After the period of "hardening" or "finishing" in the basement the flowers may be 
used for their intended purpose. In placing them in their permanent containers it is well 
to again trim off a small portion of the stem under water. In fact, this should be done 
each time the stem is out of water for more than a moment. Use only CLEAN water and 
CLEAN containers; factors which are important but often overlooked. Thereafter change 
the water once a day and trim off the stems. Set the containers out of direct sunlight 
and draughts. Follow the foregoing suggestions and you will find the dahlia a long- 
lasting flower. 
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