Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-04-16
DahIia Culture.

To begin with, choose good, sound
tubers. cut from the main bunch in
such way as to include enough of
the stalk to insure one or more buds
to sprout. No tuber will grow, how
ever sound. if the stem by which it is
attached to the main mass of roots is
broken or cut. The one most sure to
grow is that attached directly to the
flower stalk of the previous seasons
growth and planted, stalk and all.
Plant from three to five inches deep,
according to the size and number of
tubers. The larger ones to be planted
the deeper. Plant about 80 inches
apart in the rows and make the rows
about four feet apart. Tastes differ
nj regard to planting, / am. telling
you what l have found the most satls-
factory plan for myself.
They will grow the best in open
ground, away from fences and shrub
berry, where they have the sun all day.
Unless the soil is quite poor do not en-
rich it when they are planted, as it
will stimulate a large plant growth
at the expense of the flowers. That is
where a good many make mistake,
think. Wait until the plants begin to
show buds, then work in a good top
dressing of rotted manure, and it will
stimulate the blossoms instead of the
plant There is no use to try to raise
dahlias unless one expects to give
them plenty of water all summer long,
Dahlias love sunshine and water and
will not thrive unless they have an
abundance of both. Given this atten
ton they will grow in most any soil.
|, Thin the show varieties to one or
two stalks when they are four or five
inches high. Pinch the top of the
stalk out. Thin from three to five
stalks in the cactus and decorative
varieties. / do not top these at all.
The quill, collarette pompon and CEN
tury varieties I treat as the show
dahlias. The pompon should be about
six inches high when topped.
They should all be tied firmly to
strong stakes set firmly in the ground
to keep the summer breezes from
breaking them with their heavy load
of flowers.
Following is list of my favorites
in each class as far as my experience
goes: In fancy varieties there is
nothing finer than the old American
banner. Although INTRODUCED 20 years
ago, it is still a favorite, like the
Safrano among the roses. 1t is yare-
gated, the same plant having red,
pink and white blossoms at the same
time with others, combined in a rich
confusion.
Among the best of the new type
might be mentioned Snow White,
Emily, Lavendar. Client, Dark Red,
Virginia, Mauve Pink and Magnificent
yellow.
OF the decorative type the Jennie
Charmed is one of the finest; color
red, deepening to pink. There is no
dahlia of this class that l like better
than the DR.. G. Sonzon. 1t is the
largest dahlia of all and is beautifully
formed Clifford w. Brunton and
Mrs. Winters are also very fine, as
well as many others.
OF the cactus dahlias, are aricmlie-
die is one of the b est. winsome, aegir,
Minnie West and many others are also
very fine.
President Viger is the best of the
collarette type.
Snowclad is perhaps the best of the
pompons.
Grand Duke Alexis, white, and
A. d. Gavoni, pink, are lovely ones OF
the quilted type. Among the Glenn
ats flowered the Twentieth Century
is one of the best. Queen Willamina
is one of the finest peony flowered
dahlias.
Dahlias should be planted where
the soil is well drained. They COM
mence to flower earlier and the tubers
keep better.
! give my dahlia beds thorough
hoeing at least four times during a
season.
MRS. NJ. G. DENNIS
Dallas. Oregon, April Is.