XOVEMEER 15. 1913. 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
i . 
% LIFTING AND STORING DAHLIAS. % 
❖ t 
TULIP MASSENET. 
Xe\i' Darwin tulips were not numerous 
last spring; at least, few were honoured by 
awards, hut now that these fine flowers are 
eoming into their ow'n place in our gardens 
the standard of quality needful ror an 
award steadily rises. A beautiful \^riety 
plante here are a of bloom, we must c«(aaionally to see that'all is well. Should oiety a.. May 14 last CLf 'not wi^ 
:Sowffor L£^lLT troua^ fl««ors of great suMam^ 
Usually in this locality we are fortunate 
enough to reach the end of October, and 
even the second week of X^ovem'ber^ before 
this happens, proof of which has b^n seen 
by many fine exhibits of dahlias by a well- 
known local firm at the Cardiff Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Show. Last year, however, was an 
exception, the visitation of six degrees of 
frost on the night of October 5 completely 
transforming a glorious display to a 
blackened mass. 
Before it is too late it is wise to take 
the precaution of examining labels to see 
if these are in order, for where the system 
of placing the label in the soil close to 
the plant has been adopted some may 
^ily have been displaced during work¬ 
ing operations. No doubt the safest system 
of labelling is to fasten the label securely 
with copper wire to the stake. If a very 
small-size wire is used this is quite cheap, 
and undoubtedly so in the long run, as the 
same label can be used for winter storing. 
No good purpose can be served by delaying 
lifting after the plants are cut down by 
frost, excepting that a fine day, with, pre¬ 
ferably, a drying wind, will greatly assist 
in preparing the tubers for storing. 
The old stems should be cut down to 
within six inches or nine inches of the 
wil, and the roots carefully lifted with a 
fork. After removing any soil round and 
among the tubers, carefully secure the label 
round the base of a good tuber, not the 
stem, which will decay and may fall off, and 
pl^e in an airy position to thoroughly dry 
before storing. 
Where large numbers of plants, and 
^pecially of various types, are grown, the 
lifting should be carri^ out systematically, 
taking one section at a time, and dispose 
of all the plants belonging to it before pro- 
oo^mg with the others. 
A very great difference will be found in 
o roots of dahlias, some varieties making 
a large mass of tubers, while others 
The latter shy rooters, of 
V ^ decorative Breilt- 
ood Yellow is an example, require more 
m/® ®^ring than the vigorous-rooters, 
e former must not be dried too much, or 
shrivel, and when ready no time 
lost,before placing them in boxes 
Pn receptacles, and cover with sand. 
Rii,+ VI ^^^Ser roots sand or soil will be 
otrL. XV ’ W placed around and 
tive suflficient. It is impera- 
if k ^ whatever covering is used that 
be thoroughly dry. 
oarSi*. 1 storing of tubers three 
^^<linal points have to% kept in mind, 
and’/i^^ avoidance of excessive heat, cold 
stored^^^* 1 ^ where they should he 
and ^ solely a matter of convenience, 
adonf^^ v^ various are the places 
the amateurs, from the attic to 
room building, be it loft, store- 
bemnerAf ^ v’ P^^^ided it is dry and the 
able^ ^ <legrees, will be suit- 
are peach houses, etc., which 
oan hp equally well if these 
^ seeincy^A^^ objection is made 
them in the housi. 
DARWIN TULIP MASSENET. 
Flowers pale buff, with deep rose shading over the centre of each segment. 
R.H.S., May 14. Messrs. R. H. Bath, Lim., Wisbech. 
A.M„ 
Ling of rich rose 
ach segment 
the affected part, if small, may be cut buff, with a deep flushin 
off, and the roots dusted with lime, or lime ov^er the centre of eac _ 
and sulphur. This is work which can be very distinct. We believe the variet^ 
attended to in wet or bad weather, and a was discovered in Holland but it was p/ 
little timely attention in this respect may hibited by Messrs. R. H fikth of 
save much disappointmeait. «« ok..— , »_ ^visoecn, 
Arthur J. Cobb. 
