THE DAHLIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1940, Page 8

THE DAHLIA

MUST BE FED PROPERLY. Dahlia plants will now be growing rapidly, and often this apparent excess of growth deceives a grower, so that a sudden check is the first intimation he receives that there is any need for feeding. It is impossible to state what to do in 'regard to watering, for soils differ greatly, and in a certain degree the same thing applies to feeding. | In wet seasons, apart from a dressing i of artificial manure, little can be done ' but during dry weather feeding can bo carried on extensively with excellent results. The dahlia responds to either natural or artificial manure of almost any sort. Horse and cow manure put into a tub of water and left to soak for a few days, and the liquor diluted to to the colour of tea, makes capital food for dahlias, and can be given in any reasonable quantity. Soot treated in the same way is also good. When using either artificial or liquid manure remember that the soil must be wet if it is to retain the manorial constituents. To use artificial or liquid manure, and the plants arc gasping for a drink of cold water, is to throw good material and money away.