DISBUDDING. When the plant is a foot high, count up from 
the ground, 3 sets of leaves. Slightly above this third set, steel 
yourself and pinch out the beautiful top of the plant. Do this 
when the plant is very young and not when a great number of 
leaves have developed because of the unbalance of the leaf area 
and root area. From each set of leaves you will find, after a 
few days, two new vigorous side shoots; in all, six shoots. Let 
these shoots grow. 
When flower buds appear, and you can get your finger in, 
break off all side buds so that there is only one bud to each of 
the six main shoots. Just below the buds, break out all new 
side shoots, all the way down the six main stalks, until you come 
to the bottom two shoots. Leave these, they will form your next 
set of blooms. First you will have six blooms, cut these just 
above the two remaining side shoots so six weeds later you will 
have twelve blooms, and the next set having twenty-four, ete. 
Disbudding is very important if you wish a low stocky plant and 
very large blooms. 
FEEDING. Dahlias are heavy feeders and it is necessary to feed 
them regularly —about every two weeks. <A_ potato fertilizer 
such as 2-10-10 (2 per cent nitrogen, 10 per cent phosphorus, 10 
per cent potash) is the best, but if this is not available, ask 
your dealer for a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen content and 
high in phosphorus and potash. Use about one handful per plant 
at the drip line. Scratch into the soil and water. 
As the buds appear, add to this dressing one teaspoonful of 
blood meal per plant. Use blood meal sparingly, for it has very 
much nitrogen and you might weaken the bush by too rapid 
growth. Also it devitalizes your roots for next year’s planting: 
If your soil needs humus, you might add a very heavy dressing 
of steer manure after you dig your roots in the fall. 
CUTTING FLOWERS. Cut blooms late in the afternoon. Take 
off foliage you desire and plunge it into cool water. Leave the 
flowers out in the open all night, being careful that the morn- 
ing sun will not hit them. If you will use Bloomlife, the flowers 
will last days longer. If you can’t get it locally, we can _ sup- 
ply you A good trick is to cut your blooms almost ‘to length 
and then plunge your knife and end of stem into water and 
make the final cut under water. Your bloom is now ready for 
the container. 
HARVESTING ROOTS. Do not dig until the entire plant is 
dead and brown. Cut off the stalks about 4” high and remove 
stake. Plunge a spade straight down all around the plant about 
8” from the stalk. Gently lift out the ball with two spades and 
break off as much soil as possible. Use a hose to wash off the 
remaining soil. Cut off all hair roots and all but 2” of the stalk. 
Do not strain the necks of the roots. Locate the “eyes” next to 
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