WATERING. In protracted drought the foliage should be well and forcibly sprayed with water 
to prevent red spider. In general, do not water till the ground becomes fairly dry and then 
soak to a good depth. When surface shows cracks and is dry enough, use rake or hoe to pro- 
vide dust mulch to conserve soil moisture. A light daily watering is unnecessary and even 
injurious. 
CULTIVATING. Working the ground between plants is beneficial to keep weeds in control and 
conserve soil moisture in dry weather. Dahlias will respond to cultivation whenever soil con- 
ditions are suitable. As plants grow larger, cultivation should be shallower so as not to cut 
surface feeder roots. Tie plants to stakes, once for every 18 inches of growth. 
DIGGING should be about November 1st to 15th regardless of date of killing frost. Dig with- 
out bending or breaking necks of tubers. Cut stalk to within 2 inches of roots. Store in 
cool cellar immediately after digging, packing in peat moss, clean sawdust, sand or other 
suitable material. If tubers have been well nourished with balanced fertilizer and not over- 
fertilized and season has been such as to properly develop and ripen tubers, they will keep 
well. Big thick stems are more conducive to crown or stem rot than slimmer stems grown 
on leaner soils. Farm grown, not heavily fertilized, not watered dahlias, produce more tub- 
ers that almost always keep well through winter. 
DIVIDING. In the spring divide clumps by splitting the stem and crown so as to leave one 
eye or sprout to each division of one or more roots. 
HOW TO HANDLE ROOTED CUTTINGS 
ROOTED CUTTINGS must be potted immediately in 3 inch or 4 inch pots. Use a light mixture 
of soil consisting of 1 part garden soil, 1 part leaf mold or decayed peat and %4 part fine 
coal ashes or sand. Use no fertilizer. About half the cutting should be below the surface 
of the soil after potting. 
Dahlia cuttings cannot be successfully grown indoors. If a cold frame or greenhouse is 
not available, a makeshift cold frame can be constructed with a few panes of glass and a 
wooden box. 
After potting, bury pots to % of their 
depth in ordinary soil in a cold frame. 
Coarse ashes underneath the pot may 
be necessary for drainage. Do not sub- 
ject to excessive draft or heat until af- 
ter ten days. Cold frames must be venti- 
lated during heat of the day to prevent 
burning of plants. 
When plants have doubled their size 
they may be subjected to more severe 
conditions for hardening off, and in 
about two weeks may be set out where 
they are to grow. They should be not 
too tall for best results. Water thorough- 
ly. 
Gold Queen City 
Our first gold cut-flower. 
33 

