The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-04-21
GARDENING IN THE BACK YARD

by experience the Grand Duke Alexis
an excellent white variety.
more difficult to keep in the cellar
~perience little trouble in this.
The dahlia should not be set out in
the garden until it has warmed up
sufficiently to insure no more freez-
should be cut apart If the entire bunch
OF bulbs that grew last season was
put away in one bunch Each of the
healthy bulbs shoul be set in a place,
and they should be at least two to
two and a half feet a part, to insure
should be bright and sunny and the
soil shoul be rich. The bottom of the
bed or spot where the plant sits should
not be left in such condition as to be-
come so wet as to cause decay of the
roots.
Spade up the earth. mix into it some
well-rotted manure and set the dahlia
bulb about three inches beneath the
earth. l mean the bulb must be COW
cred to that depth. This, of course,
makes it necessary to nave good earth
in a good condition to a depth beyond
the lower n of the bulbs.
AS the plant grows, till the soil
gently and carefully about the plant
and keep out all weeds and grasses.
When the plant gets to be a foot in
height, lle IL up 10 a STOUT STAKE Will
strips Of muslin or something soft
enough not to cut the end stems.
If the weather gets dry. water the
plants occasionally.
When the buds begin to appear, the
size of the blooms and richness of
ton of liquid fertilizer, such as can
be made by allowing manure to soak
in a pail of water. and applying the
same in reasonable quantities not
stronger than the color of tea. This
should be applied to the soil beneath
the plant and about the roots.
The dahlia is a summer and autumn
bloomer. Many of the best varieties
should put forth blooms that are six
inches in diameter.
When the plants are done blooming
and winter is approaching, cut off the
stems and dig up the bulbs and place
them in the cellar after they have dried
In the open air or sun for q few hours.
Some bury them in dry sand in the
cellar, but L nave not found that ac-
tuallN necessary.
If the local florists dc not have what
% desire, send for the catalogs of
leading seedsmen. advertising in all
leading publications, and select the
kinds you wish and order them by mail
or express. The latter is the cheapest
II you get several kinds.
Wide Choice Of Varieties.
In recommending different kinds to
my friends. l have mentioned a few
which l know are good, and which I
think with proper care, will give sat-
isfaction.
A new dahlia is known as the Mrs.
Roosevelt. 1t is a vigorous grower,
having large delicate pink flowers on
strong stems and is a favorite for cut
ting. 1t is worth any ones while to
cultivate this.
An early and ideal variety. with
white flowers OF strong stems and the
plant rather dwarfy or bushy. is the
kind known as the Storm King. 1t is
a profuse bloomer and a favorite with
many dahlia lovers.
A lovely white. shading on outer
petals. and a large Towering, strong
grower, which is greatly admired is he
Silvia.
An intensely ark red is found in
the William Agnew. The flowers often
reach seven inches in diameter and the
flower is full to the center, with outer
petals beautifully twisted.
A lovely salmon pink, which often
blends into amber. is found in the
Countess of Lonsdale. 1t is a greater
bloomer than many sorts and is a ia
vorite with many.
The Claribel is a large, bright purple
flower, with long stems, and is a fine
one for cutting. 1t grows well.
One of the finest in the yellow varie-
ties is to be found in the Mrs. Charles
Turner. 1t has long. pointed petals.
and is certainly a lovely dahlia, belong
ing to what is known as the cactus
varieties.