a root crop the year before an application of bone meal and 
potash should be made, and this worked into the surface before 
planting. About 5 pounds of bone meal and 1 pound of Muriate 
or Sulphate of Potash to every 10 plants. 
When the soil has warmed up nicely, and not until then, is 
the time to plant. DO NOT PLANT A DAHLIA ROOT IN 
COLD, WET GROUND, and expect anything but failure. Some 
varieties may pull through, but nothing is gained by planting 
too early. A hole about 5 inches deep in heavy soil, to as deep 
as 8 inches in light sandy soil, is dug for each root, and allow 
at least 3 feet each way between holes. This for the large varie- 
ties. The Pompons may be spaced closer, also the miniatures 
for mass effects. A stake should be driven close to the hole and 
the root laid therein with the eye or sprout facing up, and to- 
ward the stake. The root should be covered about two inches, 
and the hole gradually filled in as the plant grows. It may be 
tied to the stake with soft twine or rag to avoid cutting the stalk. 
For a bushy plant with numerous blooms the plant may be 
pinched out after the 3rd set of leaves forms. This will force 
the buds at the base of the plant to develop and the plant will 
spread out. For large blooms, pinch out the buds on each branch 
down to the base buds leaving only one bud to a stalk. This 
allows long stems for cutting or exhibition, As Pompons and 
Miniatures are somewhat valued in inverse ratio to their size 
none of these should be disbudded, but the young plant may bx 
pinched out to make more blooms. 
There are a few insect pests which may infect your Dahlia:, 
depending on your locality. Aphis or other sucking insects, cr 
leaf hoppers or other chewing insects. There are a number uf 
good sprays and dusts on the market, including the new DDT 
which may be used according to directions on the package. Your 
local feed store or hardware dealer will help you select whica- 
ever is indicated by your local conditions. 
The ground around the Dahlia plants should be kept in a 
loose condition by frequent cultivation, deep at first and then 
shallower as the plant grows and the feed roots spread out, anc 
near the surface. If your summer is very hot, a mulch bé.ween 
the Dahlias of grass clippings, or other material, will help keep 
the ground cool and avoid overheating the roots. During extreme 
heat it is advisable to pick off the buds and not allow blossoms 
to form, thus saving any possible dangerous wilting of the plant. 
When watering, after the buds have started to open, and not 
until then, it is better to give the ground a thorough soaking once 
a week or every ten days, than to sprinkle the surface every 
day. The moisture should reach down about a foot to be of the 
most value. 
Dahlia blooms should be cut either early in the morning be- 
fore the sun starts to dry them out, or late in the evening. Th. 
best method of cutting for long keeping blooms, is to carry a 
bucket of cold water into the garden and plunge the stem of 
the Dahlia into it as soon as it is cut from the bush. A knife 
should be used instead of scissors, as the object is to not press 
the stem shut, but rather leave it so that it will absorb water 
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