or seventy degrees. Proper humidity of the air in the storage room Is an aid to 
good results; it being advisable in some cases to place a pail or tub of water in the 
storage room. In other cases it will be advisable to provide for additional circulation 
or drying of the air. Experience and observation will eventually determine a successful 
method for your conditions. 
The clumps may be divided at any time but it is best to wait until the eyes or 
sprouts show distinctly. Never plant the entire clump. For best results divide it so 
that there is but one sprout to each division. Usually good clumps will average four 
or more divisions. 
We will be glad to answer any further questions regarding these or any other 
phases of dahlia culture. OUR SERVICE DOES NOT END WITH THE SALE. 
How To Handle Cut Flowers So They Will Keep 
The life of dahlia blooms after they are cut may be very much prolonged by a 
few simple precautions taken at the time of cutting. 
First of all, cut only FULLY MATURED blooms. Flowers with a withered petal or 
two on the back will keep longer, under similar conditions, than young blooms. If 
desired, the withered petals may be picked, or cut off. Cut a longer stem than will 
be necessary in the vase or container, for which the flowers are wanted. 
Cut the flowers early in the morning before they start to wilt, or in the evening 
after they have revived from the effects of the sun and winds of the day. Make the 
cut with a sharp knife so that the microscopic tubes in the stem, which supply water 
to the flower head, are not crushed. 
Flowers should be cut at least eight hours before it is planned to use them. 
As soon after cutting as possible, the stems should be placed in deep cool water in 
a cool, draughtless and dark part of the basement. When putting the flowers in 
water in the basement, it is to considerable advantage, to trim off an inch or two 
of the stem under water. This cuts off the portion of the stem into which air may 
have entered the microscopic tubes and choked off the supply of water passing up 
to the flower head. When the supply of water fails, of course the flowers wilt. 
After the period of "hardening' or "finishing" in the basement, the flowers may 
be used for their intended purpose. In placing them in their permanent containers 
it is well to again trim off a small portion of the stem under water. In fact, this 
should be done each time the stem is out of water for more than a moment. Use 
only CLEAN water and CLEAN containers; factors which are important but often 
overlooked. Thereafter change the water once a day and trim off the stems. Set 
the containers out of direct sunlight and draughts. Follow the foregoing suggestions 
and you will find the dahlia a long-lasting flower. 
POINTERS FOR EXHIBITORS 
Success as an exhibitor consists of a great deal more than the ability to grow fine 
specimen blooms. Experience is very important. Don't be discouraged by a few 
failures. Learn from the failures while gaining experience. - 
Start your preparations early. I+ requires about four weeks, from the time buds 
first show, until they are fully open. Go over your garden and select buds which should 
be ready about show time. Disbud them a little more than you ordinarily do. Take 
out some of the branches if there are more than the four, or six, you wish to grow. 
Don't spend your time on buds from anything but good plants. 
When buds start to show color, it may be well to cover them with bushel baskets, 
or other protection, to prevent fading and damage by the elements. 
The day before the show, examine all the blooms and mark those which should be 
just right for cutting. Plan to cut the blooms at least twelve hours before time to set 
up at the show. 
62 
