The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-14
CARE OF DAHLIA ROOTS.

J. II. Alexander j. a noted d-h'it
specialist. His whole farm and his
whole time are devoted to Cruwtu-
dahlias Consequently his opportunity
for studying the natur. OF this par
ticular plant is greater than that pt
the grower of a general assurtmcu:
Of plants.
Tn" following article. fun of inter
estinG information, Is from Mr. Nl.N-
ander's pen, appearing recently in a
trade paper:
Dahlias should he harvested shortly
after their foliag" has been Killed pN
frost. | find from experience. that as
soon Hs the frost kills the foliage liz"
strength of the stalk recedcs back into
the bulbs. n that If they are not hdr-
vested shortly, each hulh sends forth a
sprout which becomes a shoot. and II
Left long enough, a stalk, and as th,.r
Is danger of frost any time after 49,.
first sever frost. no matter how lot-
left, they can never grow long cuo1g.
to each maturity and bloom hcfo.,
being killed.
This spruut or shoot is new. hIit.i"
growth. - hard ana woody like tl,
stalk and when the clumps ar" dry. 10
the spruut * two OF three inches lon .
1t is generally allowed Ia remain. If %
foot or so long is cut of. Ia" same u-
the stalk. In either ease his new ana
brittle growth lacks substance. and 0~
Il has not sufficient substance to carry
II through the winter. the sprout coui-
mences to decay during the w,ntv.
months, Oftcntimcs causing TIN" Whpi"
cluinp To decay. and however the case.
the plant life ana vitality required TO
grow this Is wasted. because Il Is taken
from the clump This same life and
vitality should have been used IN the
spring. when IL would Ice ten times as
valuable.
BY digging We or three days after
your pant has been KILLED by frost
your clumps are in IA perfectly dor
mant condition, having no sprouts, and
will keep perfectly all winter, scudin-
forth sprouts in the spring. which IL
the proper time.
Dahlias may he dug with fork, spade
or plough, In digging or harvesting
the clump great care should h" taken;
AZ them, and dig very carefully do
not pull them NJ. You have "A large
cluster of bulbs or clnmp; each bulb
has IA neck. which is the sinai. portion
between the bulb ana where IL joints
the stalk. Tho cluinp should b" dug
or lifted carefully, so a. not To- break
the necks of the bulbs. If q crack.
girdlc or break u neck. sometimes II. \
will dry up. OF AZ other times decay.
However, when the clump Is divided.
Tho hIIlh with Z. hrnla, npsir - Vs..t
and % rs good, and requires longer
to become established and to com
mcnce to grow after being planted in
the ground.
After removing the clump. shake
gently To remove the soil that would
naturally fall OF, Cut off top within
two or three inches above top of
clumps, allowing them to bee exposed
To the sun and air for only an hour or
two. do not allow them to stay out
two or three days to dry up, then won
der why they are witIercd and fan I"
sprout.
Pack in Il cool, frost proof place.
where extremes in tcmpcratur" may
he avoided, a place having AN av"rag"
temperature of about - degrees. Do
not cover. or pack in any material 81
with any substance; cork. SaWdust,
shavtngs, coal ashes, sand or earth.
all hold and retain n darnuncss 81
, moisture. something unnatural, Th.Y
are also too close, compact and damp,
causing the bulbs to start to mildeN
or to decay. Would yop pack your
potatoes in any of the ahoVr" Sim
ply pack clumps one on top of the
other. placing each clump upside
down in boxes or barrels.
Undoubtedly YOU are aware that the
dallla stalk is hollow, and that th.~
hollow contains a WatcrN Substance.
or acid. If You pack your clulnps
with the stalk NJ, the acid viii npw
back into the crown II the clump,
causing decap; whereas, If YOU turn
your clumps upside down the acid