CULTURE OF DAHLIAS 
(Continued from page 24) 
the terminal bud on each branch gets to the size of a dime, 
pinch off the side buds on that branch and you will get a 
much finer flower. 
Do not over water. Give them a good soaking about once 
a week when they need it and then fet them alone until 
they need it again. A small amount of a nitrate fertilizer 
scattered on the ground around the plant before watering if 
sprinkling is practiced will push the growth. 
Experiment with this and don't use too much as it will hurt 
the flowering. 
For leaf hoppers and red spiders, we prefer a dust of sul- 
fur which contains about 3% of DDT. We prefer to put it on 
in the mornings when the dew is still on the plants. There 
is trouble with plant lice, nicotine sulphate is the best ma- 
teria] to use in the spray. 
At the end of the season, after the plants are frozen down, 
then dig the roots. Great care must be used in the digging 
or the necks of the roots will be broken and then they are 
ruined. Two persons, each with a shovel, can lift the roots 
up and set them on the ground with very little disturbing of 
the roots. Then carefully remove the dirt. Cut the top back 
close to the roots, and cover with dry sand or sawdust. The 
covering will prevent the evaporation which ruins roots. 
When the eyes begin to show in the spring, the clump 
of roots may be divided so that each root will have an eye at- 
tached. Many persons prefer to leave two or three roots to- 
gether but we find no advantage in this. If desired the roots 
can then be potted or put in a cold frame and later trans- 
planted to the garden when the weather is suitable. 
ae 
