

ca 
Ome of our Hele on @riober 20, 1949, after three-quarters of 
the mums had been removed. Dahlias in right background. 
DIRECTIONS FOR GROWING AND CULTIVATION OF THE DAHLIA 
TIME—tThe proper time to plant dahlias for 
best results is May 15th. For exhibition, we 
advise June Ist to 10th in the Ohio Valley. 
You have until July 1st for good results. 
PREPARING SOIL AND PLANTING. Dahlias 
are not fussy about soil, providing it is deeply 
cultivated, well drained and has plenty of 
humus. They also need full sun to produce good 
flowers. Drive 5 ft. stakes 3 ft. apart. At 
each stake mix in one handful of bone meal 
or any well recommended fertilizer. Place root 
in a horizontal position 4 to 6 inches deep. You 
may now fill in level over root or leave a slight 
depression which may be filled in as the dahlia 
plant grows. 
PLANTING OF GREEN PLANTS. Soak in 
shallow water for a few minutes in order to 
freshen plant after its journey through the 
mail. Plant the roots of the plant about four 
inches deep leaving a slight depression to be 
filled in as plant grows. If there is hot sun 
the day you plant, it would be advisable to 
cover with baskets of some kind. Water well. 
CULTIVATION—WATERING. Keep the soil 
well cultivated throughout the season. After 
August 15th do not cultivate deeply or too close 
to the plant, as the feeder roots are coming to 
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the surface. Unless weather is very dry, dahlias 
will need little watering until buds appear. 
From then on, one heavy soaking a week unless 
there is plenty of rain. 
INSECTS. Control of insects is important. DDT 
has helped greatly in overcoming these pests. 
Dust once a week in the evening when air is 
still with 2% to 5% DDT. We have found that 
DDT takes care of the sucking and chewing in- 
sects that are so harmful to the Dahlia. If red 
spider shows up, we suggest washing the 
underside leaves of the plant with a strong 
spray of cold water. Parathion is the answer 
to control of red spider, but as yet it is not 
in general use. 
DISBUDDING. To get the best flowers on long 
stems, it is advisable to disbud. You can pinch 
out the tops of dahlia plants after the third 
set of leaves appear, or you can wait for the 
crown bud to appear. Pinch two of the smaller 
buds from this crown bud. Likewise pinch side 
laterals two joints from the top bud. If the 
former method of pinching center of plant is 
used, you may disbud each of the four laterals 
which will appear. Leaving top main center 
bud on each lateral, pinching all others two 
joints down. 

