Dahlias, King of Fall Flowers 
Some time someone said, ‘‘There is no 
more comparison between a_ poorly 
grown dahlia and a well-grown one than 
there is between cube steak and filet 
mignon.’ So anyone who loves flowers, 
and dahlias in particular, should take 
time and pains to grow them well. The 
dahlia, as we know it today, has no 
comparison with the ones our grand- 
mothers grew many years ago. The 
rapid strides of the hybridizer produc- 
ing new and better varieties each year 
has placed the dahlia rightfully as the 
one ‘‘must have’’ flower. 
It now covers such a wide field that 
one can have any type, size or color 
‘(except blue) that he or she may desire. 
The small pom pom variety of an inch; 
the medium size, two to four inches; 
the commercial size, five to eight inches, 
up to the mammoth exhibition size 
ranging from 10 to 17 inches, are all in 
great demand both for garden show, 
house decoration and the_ exhibition 
table. 
The dahlia is not over-particular as 
to soil types but they do insist on well- 
drained location where the good sun 
reaches them at least part of every day. 
‘However, it is true that the better the 
soil, the better your dahlias will per- 
form for you. Good loam mixed with a 
fair amount of sand is ideal provided it 
has plenty of humus and plant food. 
Dahlias are heavy feeders and a fair 
amount of well-balanced fertilizer, low 
in nitrogen, should be applied when 
about a foot tall, again when the first 
buds appear, and still again after the 
first blooms have been cut. They need 
plenty of water when in the bud and 
bloom stage. When watering, do not 
sprinkle — rather soak the soil to a 
depth of at least eight inches. After the 
second or third day, cultivate lightly to 
‘conserve the moisture and keep the 
weeds in check. 
The dahlia is bothered with very few 
insects and less disease. To get them off 
to a good start, spray the young plants 
when only a few inches tall with a solu- 
tion of Red Arrow or New Evergreen 
spray. If aphis appear during the hot 
weather of July or August, give them 
a good spraying of the same material] 
Garden Guide & Note Book 

during the warm part of the day, being 
particular to cover the entire plant 
underside of leaves and stem. 
To attain the best results in perfec- 
tion of bloom, the larger varieties 
should be disbudded. The nature of the 
plant is to send up three buds on the 
same stalk, like many roses do: The 
two side buds should be pinched out 
when small, leaving only the terminal 
bud to develop. Cut the stem at the 
next joint below and more flower stems 
will appear. This can be kept up till the 
plants are killed by frost. In the smaller 
types it is advisable to pinch out the 
center when about four or six inches 
high, thus causing the plant to branch 
out and forming more flower branches. 
The number of named varieties today 
runs well up into five figures and ranges 
in price from a 25-cent piece to a $25 
check. We will have a nice line for your 
selection early in April at popular prices 
for popular varieties. 
Tuberous Rooted Begonias 
Most decorative as pot plants and 
continuous bloom all summer and fall 
if planted in rich soil partly shaded. 
A wide selection for your enjoyment. 
transpatent-flerible 
Pea 
dd 
