DIVIDING CLUMPS 
Dahlia clumps can best be divided with the aid of 
double cutting pruning shears and a pruning knife. 
Broken necks and fibrous roots should first be removed. 
The eyes are on the crown and never on the root 
proper. Then proceed to divide with shears or knife. 
Care should be exercised to have a piece of crown with 
at least one eye connected with each one or two roots. 
Then all cut portions should be dipped in Dahliadel 
Dip. Clumps should never be planted without dividing. 
WHEN TO DIVIDE. For the amateur, clumps are bet- 
ter partially divided in January or February. Trim out 
any portions of crown or roots that show decay. On 
early dividing it is not advisable to cut apart to single 
root divisions, but rather divide a clump into two to 
four pieces, leaving two or more roots to a division. 
These can be again divided at planting time as long 
as you have one good eye with each root. Dip cut 
portions in Dahliadel Dip and repack as before. When 
dividing clumps, tagging each division becomes quite 
a chore, also these tags must be removed before plant- 
ing. It is therefore less work to wet the root with a 
sponge or rag and mark either name or number right 
on the root with an indelible pencil. This will not come 
off when packed in vermiculite or even during a grow- 
ing season in the ground. Let roots dry in air before 
repacking in vermiculite. 
DAHLIA CULTURE FOR FLORIDA 
AND PARTS OF TEXAS 
Cultural instructions in general can be used with 
the following exceptions. Dahlias need more shade than 
in the north, they do well on the north side of citrus 
or other trees getting some morning and afternoon sun, 
or grown in a slat house similar to the ones used for 
growing asparagus fern. Fertilize about once every 4 
to 6 weeks, using smaller quantities for each applica- 
tion than recommended under Fertilizer, as it is a longer 
growing season and with a porous soil 11/2 to 2 times 
the total recommended amounts can be used during the 
entire growing season. 
Dahlias do not respond to pinching out as they do 
in the north and some varieties will not branch at all 
when pinched back, so handle your bushes according 
to Drawing Z. 
LANDSCAPE WITH DAHLIAS 
A number of varieties are now available that lend 
themselves wonderfully well to landscape work. They 
may be grown where a mass color effect is wanted, 
or may even be started in pots and set out in mid- 
season after other plant material is through blooming. 
Dwarf Dahlias were originally used in landscape plant- 
ing, and they are still fine for low effects, but a number 
of Miniatures are more desirable, and in general easier 
to grow, giving higher effects suitable for central or 
background plantings. They are also available in a 
greater range of colors, and lovely in beds or border 
plantings. 
DARLIADEL NURSERIES tno 
SCORING DAHLIAS 
To simplify classification to size and use of the 
dahlia, we have scored all varieties grown at Dahliadel 
according to our new field score card. 
Three sizes of dahlias, as listed in A.D.S. Standard 
Nomenclature, may be scored with this card: M—SMALL, 
under 4 inches in diameter; B—MEDIUM, 4 to 8 inches; 
and A—LARGE, over 8 inches. Each number represents 
maximum points for perfection based on favorable 
characteristics present in flower to be scored. 
To start judging we set up a minds’ picture of an 
absolutely perfect flower of the same size, type and 
color classification. Then deduct for imperfections from 
each specific quality. Start with COLOR, then FORM, 
etc., using the column of figures under M for Minia- 
ture, B for 4 to 8 inches and A for over 8 inches. 
DISTINCTIVENESS is mainly for COLOR or FORM when 
distinctly different from existing varieties. 
Although not official, we have 21/2 pages of dahlias 
classified as BB in the front of our catalog to satisfy 
public demand for a medium size bloom suitable for 
cutting and decorating. They grow from 4 to 6 inches 
and are good keepers when cut. Classes are set up for 
this size in the A.D.S. Show Schedule and in a number 
of other shows throughout the country, and they are 
proving very popular. Varieties in this class are B 
Dahlias that do not grow over 6 inches and include 
overgrown Miniatures, giving you a chance to disbud 
and grow some really nice blooms without danger of 
oversize. 
DAHLIADEL SCORE SHEET 
FOR FIELD SCORING 
Nate Bacteria eb ee epee ene aed ae peak = Type 
Originate roi..b4 5:2 eee ee eee eee ee Color. 
M BMA Score! Sotirce saeap ie ee ae eee lt os 
Z0p 20M 20 ee. COLOR. ix ir etigh Cnet! GLA, eile neN Ea As 
ie) UE ee FORMS2:5 coe, Wis a es Go Ee AoE, 
i ee DISTinctive. 
SiO Osea se SIZE disbudded..... Rex mee Nettucalseee a eS: : 
ZORZ Om 0 eee SL EMeT Ere ENS [SZ Sn eee ee cet ney > ae 
eee ee } BUSH & [ phe eA nae ON. eat a eae 
FOLIAGE 35:28:45 oe a eet Boa ees 
Insect injury Ring Spot Mosaic 
LPs A eyed Wi ene SUBstance 7) ite eee Men cn ol ge ae 
LOR Ono ae nee FLORiferous E M L [Uniformity Show Room] 
Total Date ses tine tae ee ne Where wan eer cos We aie ee 
Remarks 
HDG ot 
