CARE OF DAHLIAS 
(in California) 
Plant dahlia roots in May. Have the soil dug deep and 
well worked beforehand. Place a stake at each place, dig 
a hole deep enough so that the root can be covered 4 or 
5 inches, and leave a wide basin’ 2 or 3 inches deep for 
watering. Lay roots flat, never on end. Plant 2!/, to 3 
feet apart. Water well as soon as planted and about once 
a week until plants are well above ground. Irrigate thor- 
oughly about twice a week when plants are growing 
strong and blooming. If plarits are topped when about a 
foot high. it--will cause them to branch and make a sturdier 
growth. Larger blooms and better stems may be had by 
disbudding.: Leave’ large center bud and take off small 
side buds and sprouts above leaves for 2 or 3 joints. Use 
fertilizer sparingly. The time to fertilize is when plants 
are topped. Spray with a nicotine or other garden spray 
to prevent leaf pests the same as for other garden plants. 
Use ant poisons to keep ants from the patch. Dust with 
sulphur to control mildew. For a long season of bloom 
keep old flowers with foliage cut off and be sure to keep 
well watered at all times. Dahlias like.an open, sunny sit- ’ 
uation away from the roots of trees and shrubs. Do not 
dig clumps until about the first of the year, leave soil on 
them, and store in a dry, frost-proof shed. Cut off dry 
stalks, stack together and cover with old bags or some- 
thing of the kind. Wash and divide at planting time. 
BLAKE PRINT, PALO ALTG 
16 
