face after spading will be of advantage. If the ground has 
been planted to a root crop the year before an application of 
bone meal and potash should be made, and this worked into 
the surface before planting. About 5 pounds of bone meal 
and 1 pound of Muriate or Sulphate of Potash to every 10 
plants. 
When the soil has warmed up nicely, and not until then, is 
the time to plant. DO NOT PLANT A DAHLIA ROOT IN 
COLD, WET GROUND, and expect anything but failure. 
Some varieties may pull through, but nothing is gained by 
planting too early. A hole about 5 inches deep in heavy soil, 
to as deep as 8 inches in light sandy soil, is dug for each root, 
and allow at least 3 feet each way between holes. This for the 
large varieties, The Pompons may be spaced closer, also the 
miniatures for mass effects. A stake should be driven close 
to the hole and the root laid therein with the eye or sprout 
facing up, and toward the stake. The root should be covered 
about two inches, and the hole gradually filled in as the 
plant grows. It may be tied to the stake with soft twine or 
rag to avoid cutting the stalk. 
For a bushy plant with numerous blooms the plant may be 
pinched out after the 3rd set of leaves form. This will force 
the buds at the base of the plant to develop and the plant will 
spread out. For large blooms, pinch out the buds on each 
branch down to the base buds leaving only one bud to a stalk. 
This allows long stems for cutting or exhibition. As Pompons 
and Miniatures are somewhat valued in inverse ratio to their 
size none of these should be disbudded, but the young plant 
may be pinched out to make more blooms. 
There are a few insect pests which may infest your Dahl- 
ias, depending on your locality. Aphis or other sucking in- 
sects, or leaf hoppers or other chewing insects. There are a 
number of good sprays and dusts on the market, including 
the new DDT which may be used according to directions on 
the package. Your local feed store or hardware dealer will 
help you select whichever is indicated by your local con- 
ditions. 
The ground around the Dahlia plants should be kept in a 
loose condition by frequent cultivation, deep at first and then 
shallower as the plant grows and the feed roots spread out, 
and near the surface. If your summer is very hot, a mulch 
between the Dahlias of grass clippings, or other material, 
will help keep the ground cool and avoid overheating the 
roots. During extreme heat it is advisable to pick off the buds 
and not allow blossoms to form, thus saving any possible 
dangerous wilting of the plant. 
When watering, after the buds have started to open, and 
not until then, it is better to give the ground a thorough 
soaking once a week or every ten days, than to sprinkle the 
surface every day. The moisture should reach down about a 
foot to be of the most value. 
Dahlia blooms should be cut either early in the morning 
before the sun starts to dry them out, or late in the evening. 
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