CURTIS DAHLIA GARDENS 
HOW TO GROW PRIZE 
WINNING DAHLIAS 
ECONOMY BUYING PLANTS— 
Dahlia plants are becoming- more popular 
each year, not only because they are much 
more economical to buy but usually produce 
larger flowers. 
PROPAGATION — 
We propagate all our plants in a well ven¬ 
tilated greenhouse, growing them as cool as 
possible, therefore producing healthy and 
husky plants. Growing them cool does not make 
the largest plants but they make up for it 
when planted. 
We are very firm believers in growing the 
young plants in three invh clay pots as we 
know the plants grown in pots dry out quick¬ 
er than in boxes. The watering and drying 
out process is surely very beneficial to plant 
lue. 
SHIPMENT OF PLANTS— 
Our plants are weather hardened for at least 
ten days before shipment. Packed in special 
boxes ihey are guaranteed to reach you in 
good growing condition. We have shipped to 
nearly every state in the Union. 
PLANTING AND CARE OF GREEN 
PLANTS UPON ARRIVAL— 
Green plants should be immediately unpacked 
upon arrival and should be watered and then 
removed from paper pot. Then soak the dirt 
from the roots and straighten them out. This 
is not necessary but you get better clumps. 
Then carefully plant, setting plant so that the 
top of the ball of soil is about three inches 
below the ground level. Plants should then be 
watered thoroughly and covered with a basket 
or crate for a few days as a partial protection 
from the sun and wind. Water the plants 
every day for a few days and then every two 
or three days for a week or two. The hard crust 
that lorms around plant after watering should 
be carefully broken up as soon as soil is dry 
enough to work. If cut worms are around, 
plants should be protected by placing a collar 
made of heavy paper about three inches wide 
around them, setting collar about one inch deep 
in the soil. 
STAKES— 
Five or six foot stakes should be driven in 
ground about three feet apart one way and 
two or three feet the other before setting out 
plants. That protects them from being tramped 
on by both children and dogs. Then as your 
plant grows the stake is there to tie the 
plant to. 
TIME OF PLANTING— 
Dahlias should not be planted before the 
ground becomes well warmed by the sun in 
the Spring. May 15 to 30 is about the right 
time for most locations, although they can be 
planted as late as June 20 with good success. 
PREPARATION OF SOIL— 
The soil should be thoroughly spaded and 
well pulverized before planting and if poor, 
some well-rotted barnyard manure or com¬ 
mon fertilizer should be well worked in. Dahlias 
do not need very rich soil. 
