STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 89 



HOW TO GROW DAHLIAS IN MAINE. " 

 Mrs. Bessie M. Rupert, Portland. 



The Dahlia is a tuberous-rooted perennial — a native of Mex- 

 ico — and first discovered by Baron Humboldt in 1789. It was 

 sent by him to Professor Cavanilles, of the Botanical Gardens, 

 Madrid, who named it Dahlia in honor of the celebrated Swed- 

 ish botanist, Professor Andrew Dahl. The same year, 1789, 

 it was introduced in England by the Marchioness of Butte, who 

 secured the plant from Professor Cavanilles. Although this 

 plant was grown under glass and received the greatest possible 

 care, it was finally lost, and was re-introduced into England 

 in 1804 by Lady Holland. The plant was then introduced in 

 France, Spain and Germany, where it received great attention 

 and where it is still prized to this day as one of the finest sum- 

 mer and autumn blooming plants. 



Other species were found and introduced from Mexico and 

 became general favorites with botanists and gardeners, who 

 raised many new varieties from selected seed. The first double 

 variety was introduced in 1814. From this and several other 

 varieties that quickly followed we get nearly all of our present 

 named varieties. 



Though found so close to the United States, the Dahlia was 

 not introduced directly from Mexico, but was introduced from 

 England shortly after, in the form of several improved varieties. 



During the thirty or forty years of constant improvement 

 which followed, the constant aim was to produce perfectly 

 double, regular, ball-shaped flowers. The nearer a perfect ball 

 they were, the more highly they were prized. This type had 

 reached perfection by 1840 and was then considered the only 

 type worth growing. At this time the Dahlia was the favorite 

 garden plant with amateurs, gardeners and florists. 



As the demand for Dahlias seemed to be assured, the florists 

 continued to grow mostly the single and ball-shaped varieties, 

 ceased to strive after new forms, and continued to grow the 

 same varieties from year to year. Naturally a decline in the 

 demand for roots followed, as many had become tired of the 

 stiff form of the old variety, and others having a complete col- 



