DAHLIA-GROWING AS A HOBBY

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 21, 22 May 1912, Page 39

DAHLIA-GROWING AS A HOBBY

Of all the flowers the Dahlia is perhaps most suited to the requirements of the hobby gardener, and-it is when it is treated as a special subject that we find it giving the most satisfaction. The fact is, the Dahlia delights in attention and good living, and these two are essentials which appeal to amateur growers. The Dahlia is the subject par excellence for the man who wishes to make a hobby of gardening. In the first place, the forms are as varied as anyone need wish. He may take up the simple Single, or the neat and precise Pompone, or may wish to excel in the production of immense Doubles. 'More likely however, he will settle on the Cactus section, as here are to be found the loveliest flowers, although perhaps the most difficult to deal' with. THE VALUE OF DEEP DIGGING. Many readers have devoted a great deal of time and labour in digging out

trenches and refilling them with a whole list of ingredients, amongst which are cow manure, bonemeal, wood ashes, leaves, and so on. These preparations are carefully undertaken with the hope of producing huge Sweet Peas. Now, let me at once sav that if Dahlia growers

will put the same enthiiisiasm into the preparation of the ground, they will be sure of a rich reward. As my object is to explain how best to make a subcess of Dahlia growing, 1 will not cover up any of the unpleasant features, but point out at once that

there are a few drawbacks to contend with, and it is only by preparing before hand, and by meeting them with a deter urination to win, that success is assured There are matters which must be settled right away, as, for instance, the choice of a spot for their summer quarters

It is quite a mistake to sup|Hise one class of soil lias any great advantage over another; far more ilepemls upon the way in which it is treated. Select, as far as possible, a sheltered but open situation, unless, as often happens, there is but one ulaee, and no other. Whatever may b? the nature of the soil, whether clay or loam, dig it deeply, and in the end prepare it in such a way that it is friable all through, and rich in manure. INI-1.l EXt E (IE WEATHEIt CONDITIONS. Xow. I come to the great drawbacks to be met with when striving to perfect blooms. When I have named them, I have pretty well exhausted the real enemies. They are rain. sun. and wind -in either words, tie? weather. Ihe grower of Dahlias, however, can rejoice in one fact —he cannot only combat those: but if properly done, the work can all come under the heading of hobby gardening. In fact, there are very few things relating to the culture of these Howers which need cause any undue worry. In nine cases out of ten failure with these lovelv Howers is brought about by weather conditions, and so from first to last the weather should be regarded as the thing to guard against. First, select the most suitable varieties; next, plant well, and follow a few simple rules as to thinning and disbudding: guard against wind by systematic tying: and when the Howers are half open, shade a few of the best, and I can promise any amateur he can produce Howers which will be the envv of his neighbours. —<H. Stredwiek.