The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-11
THE DAHLIA AND ITS Gull
TURE.

There is a wide n OF ideas Ella
tive 70 the best methods Of growing
the Dahlia for the best results.
NV idea is a Dahlia that can be
planted June 1st, come into bloom
about August 18th and be in full
by September 1sL. a free, early bloom
er bright colorS, long stems n good
plump tubers.
There are three methods Of propa-
gation-from seeds, from cuttings
from tubers started under glass and
by divisions Of old clumps-
Seeding plants are unsatisfactory
as there is only a small proportion OF
good ones for the effort expended.
G~reen-grown plants give in mos
cases the best results for cut flowers
in a number of ways.
My preference is from division OF
old tuberS cut as small as possible,
planted the latter part of May. When
about four incheS high top them. II
they are in good rich soil and con
ditions are Very good [ would top
these a second time as 500 as they
make growth enough TO do SO and
give good culture. but they should be
planted deeply and as they progress
should be cultivated SO hat the soil
makes quite a ridge.
The culture should be with a view
also of firming the soil as much as
possible for the best results. as the
radiation Of moisture from loose soil
is trying to Dahlias for the best re-
suits.
The whole idea in growing Dahlias
is to have them make a constant,
rapid growth. Where Dahlias are
planted with large divisions the soil
gets SO filled with roots hat when a
dry spell sets in they check and be-
come stunted. thus they are a fail
IRE.
Should such conditions be apparent
the best thing to do is to cut them
back to induce a new growth and
give a little dressing OF manure TO
force them along.
When green plants are wanted they
should be started into growth any
time after Christmas and cuttings
taken as soon as large enough to do
so. These should be potted up as
soon as ready out of the sand beds
into poor soil. as rich soil induces a
soft growth. The poor soil makes
a better plant and more vigorous and
less liza bic to damage While under
glass.
We top them when planting about
June 1st and give a second topping
as soon as possible. thus the plants
remain shorter, and the yield is
greater. But in any event we allow
UT one Slc1l 10 SIO". 1ue Daulld Is
a gross feeder and should have
plenty Of water, especially during dry
times for best results.
If these plants are given the at
tenton as above there is no reason
why any one should not ave an
abundance of blooms
The following are very good early
Tee-blOOming sorts:
For shOW-A. D.. Livonia, pink,
Arabella. yellow suffused rose at tips.
White Swan, fine white; Hector, rich
brick red; Frank Smith, maroon
notified white; Amos Perry. rich
scarlet; Countess Of Lonsdale, salmon
red: F1oradora. rich maroon Grim
son; j. H. Jackson. very dark maroon
Standard Bearer fine red; Winsome
best white; VIM. Castle, rich yellow
For decoration-C. w. Burton, rich
yellow: Black Beauty maroon black
f. L. Bassett. rich purple; Jack Rose
rich Jack Rose, red; Orange King
orange red; Sylvia, fine pink; VIM
Agnew, rich scarlet.
Dahlia roots should be stored in
temperature Of about 40 to so degrees
They should be harvested as soon a.
slightly frosted, the soil shaken of
and packed in boxes and covered with
burlap to prevent drying out. The.
should not be Kept where damp con
ditiOns prevail.