Dahlia Culture 
For the healthy growth and the lovely blooms your Dahlia planting should be 
expected to produce, just a few simple requirements are demanded. These are 
easy to understand and follow when we consider the manner in which the 
Dahlia plant grows. 
The root division which we plant has an eye near or on the part of the stalk 
which forms the top of the root. This eye contains the really important part of 
the entire root, and from it a stalk and feed roots grow to form the Dahlia plant. 
The rest of the root is merely a dinner 
basket to supply necessary nourish- 
ment for starting the new plant. As 
soon as the feed roots, very fine at 
first, reach the point where they start 
to supply enough plant food to enable 
the newly-formed leave above ground 
to begin work, the original root has 
performed its purpose and may as well 
be disregarded. In proof of this, the 
root you plant may be cut in half or a 
still smaller portion be planted with 
a resultant vigorous plant, providing 
the conditions of soil and moisture, etc., 
are made right. 
Thus the new plant needs nothing 
in the way of fertilizer or irrigation 
until the new feed roots are estab- 
lished. And the more numerous and 
faster-growing these feed roots, the 
stronger the plant and the better the 
crop of roots for the next year. Any fertilizer should for this reason, not be placed 
in the hole in which the root is planted, but spread over the entire Dahlia plot, as 
the new roots will cover in most cases the entire space allotted to your Dahlias. 
Some of these new roots will thicken and begin to store up starch and other 
food elements, forming the new crop of storage roots. It is when these are 
growing and the buds on the plant are beginning to open that plenty of plant 
food and water are necessary. It is known that one bloom in its formation requires 
many times the water and food that is needed for the foliage and stalk growth. 
It is clear anything which tends to interfere with the growth of these new feed 
roots will stunt the growth of the plant, so an over-supply of water at the start, 
or the presence of rotting vegetation or manure, anything which will cause these 
roots to rot before they reach a healthy growth, is to be avoided. Plenty of room 
is needed for root development and space between plants should be enough for 
good ventilation to avoid mildew of the foliage. 

Azura 
With an understanding of these requirements, we can plan the best way to 
plant and care for the Dahlias. The soil should be loose and well drained. Spad- 
ing deeply as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring is a necessary part 
of the preparation. On heavy clay soil some sort of humus should be worked 
in, and some sand or fine coal ashes. If new clay, a dressing of agricultural lime 
raked in the surface after spading will be of advantage. If the ground has been 
planted to 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 five 
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