HAND BOOK FOR THE GARDEN 31 

Dahlias From Seed ead Tubers 
These can be started from seed as previously described for Tender 
Annuals. In the Fall the tubers should be lifted as described below. 
The usual method of raising Dahlias is to start the tubers indoors 
in April, placing them in shallow boxes of dirt. These can be keptina 
cellar or outhouse until late May or early June when the plants 
should be transplanted outdoors. Plant in an open sunny situation; 
3x3 feet is about the proper distance apart to plant. Prepare the soil 
thoroughly by digging. Be moderate in the use of both manure and 
water. Never plant when soil is wet. Lay the tuber flat on its side and 
cover it 4 inches deep, pressing the soil firmly on the tuber. Keep the 
soil loose and mellow by frequent hoeing, drawing the soil to a slight 
hillock around the plant. It is also advisable to use a mulch of straw 
or grass clippings around the plants to keep the soil from drying out. 
It is not well to water the plants except just enough to insure the 
soil being moist. 
After frost has killed the tops, dig the tubers carefully leaving 
6 inches of the main stem on every clump, taking up with them all 
the soil which adheres to the roots. 
All clumps should be divided into several pieces before being reset 
each Spring. In doing this it is necessary to split the main stem, 
leaving a section of this on each tuber. 
Gladiolus Culture 
The Gladiolus thrives in a sunny location, protected from wind. 
It appears to best advantage when planted among Peonies, shrubbery 
or in masses of rows bordered with some lower growing plants such 
- as Candytuft, or Bachelor’s Buttons. These make a pleasing contrast 
with the Gladioli. 
Gladiolus bulbs will grow in any good garden soil, but do much 
better when the latter has been enriched with well rotted manure. 
If the bulbs are planted at intervals from April to June the blooming 
period will extend from July until frost. A trench should be dug five 
inches deep and an inch of sand placed in the bottom to absorb surplus 
moisture. Then set the bulb (flat or hollow side down) in the sand. 
For earliest blossoms, draw 2 inches of soil uver the bulbs at first, 
replacing the rest when the shoots appear. As the leaves develop, 
more earth should be drawn up around the base, to furnish support 
for the stalk. Keep the bed free from weeds and give plenty of water, 
especially during the blooming period. When the flower buds appear 
they should be staked. 
Before the ground freezes lift the bulbs, cut off half the foliage 
and remove to a cool shed or cellar. Here they should be spread out 
to dry, leaving plenty of air space between all bulbs and tops to prevent 
mould. A convenient method is to stand them up in flats which are 
then piled in tiers. 
