How to Grow Dalhias 
Perhaps our most spectacular fall 
flower, the Dahila should not be 
planted too early, as the flowers 
will not do well in warm weather, 
Do not, however, keep tubers later 
than June Ist, since by that time 
they usually start shriveling and 
may be injured if kept later. Dahlias 
need plenty of potash and phos- 
phorus. If you apply the 25 to 30 lbs, 
of mixed fertilizers recommended for 
general use before planting, then 
additional feeding of potash and 
phosphorus will still be needed to 
produce firm tubers that will keep 
over winter, healthier plants and 
better bloom. 
Leaf hoppers which carry disease 
and which also injure the plant by 
sucking juice from the leaves and 
stems are easily controlled by reg- 
ular dusting or spraying with D.D.T. 
Mulching with straw, excelsior or 
some other airy, light material wil 
help keep the soil moist and cool. 
Don't use leaves or grass clippings 
that mat down and pack—they hold 
im too much moisture. Horticultural 
vermiculite is the perfect winter 
‘THIS YEAR MAKE IT A GLAD YEAR, REGARDLESS: 
Planting—Depth of planting is contingent _ 
Gladiolus growing has become more and 
more popular in recent years and rightly — 
so, too, for here is one of the easiest of 
glamorous summer flowers to grow. They 
are ideal for both cutting and landscape 
ornamentation, A thousand years ago they 
were known in Africa as sword lilies. 
Though they were then quite small, their 
striking beauty encouraged cultivation. In 
the past three or four decades Americans 
have done more to propagate and intro- 
duce new glads than any other country. 
Following are instructions for planting a 
glad garden particularly for cut flowers: 
Soil and Preparation—Select a site where 
your glads will receive full sun most of 
the day, and far enough away from heavy 
rooted trees and bushes so that competi- 
tion for soil nutrition is eliminated. The 
soil should preferably be a slightly acid, 
sandy loam of about pH 6.5 that drains 
well, Ask us about soil testing. 
ee 
_ Plow or spade at least eight inches deep; 
deeper if practicable, because friability 
of soil texture gives better drainage. Work 
the area completely free of clods. Dig 
trenches 8 inches wide and deep. (See 
illustration below) dividing rows 18 to 36 
inches apart; give yourself room to work. 
Cover the bottom of the trench with humus 
if available, then cover humus with a 
quarter inch layer of sand. Do not allow 
manure or other fertilizers to come in di- 
rect contact with your bulbs. 
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LEAVE PART OF STEM ON 
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SPROUT 
GROWS FROM 
CROWN, NOT 
FROM TUBER— 
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storage medium for dahlia tubers, Dry the 
freshly dug tubers in the sun for several 
hours. Then cover them completely with 
dry vermiculite. They can’t freeze in it, 
They won't shrivel or mold, 
upon bulb size and soil type: large bulbs 4 
4 to 6 inches deep; shallow in heavy 
soils deeper in light soils, Plant small 
bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep. Planting glad 
bulbs too shallow will cause them to top- 
ple or too deep retards growth. Set bulbs 
firmly in a zig zag pattern about six inches 
apart if large bulbs, or 2 to 3 inches for 
small ones. Plant at 10-day intervals for a 
succession of blooms. 
After bulbs have been covered with three- 
fourths of the dug soil, uniformly apply 
a well-balanced fertilizer at the rate of 
four pounds to each hundred feet of row. 
Finish filling in the trench after the first 
shoots appear, leaving the soil quite loose 
around them. 
Watering—is important, at least once each 
week, and particularly after the fourth 
leaf shows. A side dressing of fertilizer 
at this time will be helpful, At least an 
inch of water over the entire garden is 
necessary if normal rainfall is inadequate. 
Cultivation—If it is available, a mulch 
covering of salt hay or weed-free straw 
will go a long way toward beating this 
problem, Cultivate your rows frequently — 
to keep the soil loose and free of weeds. 
Two inches deep is usually sufficient, — Pig 
Insect Control—It is wise not to delay ~ 
your weekly dusting or spraying program 
after the sixth leaf has appeared, D.D.T. 
dust or spray is almost universally used 
today. A 5% dust is quite effective. Spray 
should be applied in a fine mist under 
heavy pressure. Ask us about our new 
insecticides and sprayers for glad insect 
control. 
Cutting—The cool hours of early morning 
are best for cutting which should be done 
when one or two florets are fully open. > 
Use a sharp knife and slice diagonally, 
leaving four or five leaves on the spike 
if you want the bulb to fully mature. 
® aye 
For Exotic Beauty-Lilies — 
Next to orchids, modern lilies are now the 
most exotic of flowers. For the complete 
flower garden this year, lilies well de- | 
serve a place. 
