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 por- 
tions 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. 
Cut sprouts back to 1/2 inch before planting. 
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 application 
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. 
DAHLIADEL NURSERIES = 4050 
Potash Fed 
E-DAHLIAS 
burns 
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. 
We have 212 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 many Show 
Schedules throughout the country, and they are prov- 
ing 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 
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