Pruuciples of Hardy Mum Culture 
When you receive your mum plants, plant them immediately and water thor- 
oughly. If your soil happens to be too wet to work at the time, pot or plant them 
in a box of good dry dirt and water thoroughly. Place your box or pots in a warm 
sunny position until planting is possible. 
Hardy Mums are easy to grow. Cultivate regularly and give plenty of water 
if season is dry. Fertilize twice a year and water heavily after each application. 
Pinch out the terminal shoots once or twice during the season, discontinue 
pinching by August 1st. 
Protect your plants in winter by covering with excelsior or corn stalks after 
the ground is frozen. Clumps can be dug in the fall, and placed in a cold frame 
or light cellar, wintered there and then divided or propagated in the spring. 
CUT FLOWER DAHLIAS 
We have always believed that the future of the dahlia depends on its ability 
as a cut-flower to successfully compete with other flowers. 
Good cut-flower dahlias—as we look at them, should have all the following 
points: Vigor, or free from stunt—Early and prolific, it should bloom about 
sixty days after planting and continue rapid-fire until frost—insect resistant foli- 
age (leaf hopper)—blooms should open rapidly to avoid burning by wind and sun 
—good substance of flowers, they should at least keep three days—long, straight 
stems—bush should be a natural brancher and not require topping or pruning— 
A clear self color. 
These requirements to be sure are rather stiff, and as far as we know there 
are only two dessiminated varieties that can meet all of them. However, there 
are a good many that have enough of these good points to get along nicely. 
The following list contains the best cut-flower dahlias in order of their im- 
portance. This data is based on growing conditions in the midwest. In the cooler 
lake regions and on the east coast, other varieties not mentioned here are 
highly satisfactory. 
(LARGE FLOWERED) 
Begonia Rose, Michigan White, Scarlet Leader, Golden City, Queen City, Susie, Blue Rose, 
Double Duty, Orange Flame, Sunglo, Clariam, Mrs. Albin, King Peter, Producer, Cherokee Rose, 
Marie, Jersey Beauty, Nancy Mitchell, Marshall Kernochan, Anna Benedict, Gretel, Jane Cowl, 
Lois Walcher, Mrs. Wildon, Royal City. 
(SMALL FLOWERED) 
Andries Orange, Mrs. Telfer, Nellie Shee, Yellow Kitten, Buckeye Baby, Little Jenny, Chief 
| WARNING 
Dahlia rooted cuttings must be potted immediately in 3” or 4” pots. 
Use a light mixture of soil consisting of 1 part garden soil, 1 part leaf 
mold or decayed peat and 1,, 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 34, of their depth in ordinary soil in a 
cold frame. Coarse ashes underneath the pot may be necessary for 
drainage. Do not subject to excessive draft or heat until after ten days. 
Cold frames must be ventilated 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 THOROUGHLY 
Twenty-seven 
