90 state; pomological society. 



lection of the kinds offered began to look about for something 

 new. The Dahlia received less and less attention as the years 

 went by until at last it became almost impossible to get good 

 varieties true to name. Fortunately, however, the demand in 

 England was for loose, graceful flowers, and new types were 

 produced to conform to the general demand. Interest was at 

 once revived, specialists took the Dahlia in hand and as a result 

 we have cactus and decorative varieties that are marvels of 

 superb beauty, not only in form but in their beautiful shades, 

 tints and exquisite finish. 



The demand for Dahlias has so increased in the past few 

 years that they now form a part of the florist's stock of cut 

 flowers, and thousands of blooms are daily used in the large 

 cities in the making of exquisite bouquets, designs and deco- 

 rations, many times at a higher price than paid for roses. 

 There is nothing more useful as a cut flower than the Dahlia, 

 coming as it does when other good flowers are gone. The 

 flowers are both large and small, according to the variety, of 

 every conceivable color, of exquisite texture and finish, and 

 most of the varieties have long stems and beautiful foliage. 



varieties. 



Dahlias are divided into two sections, double and single. 

 Each section is again divided into classes, according to size, 

 form and arrangement of colors. Double Dahlias are divided 

 into five classes : Cactus, Decorative, Show, Fancy and Pompon. 

 The Cactus is of quite recent introduction and is the most beau- 

 tiful of all the Dahlia family. The flowers are very large, of 

 most exquisite finish, soft, delicate, graceful, perfectly double, 

 irregular in outline, loosely arranged, and almost all the varie- 

 ties are borne on long stems. The petals are long and narrow, 

 with the edges folded backward, instead of forward as in the 

 ball-shaped varieties. In some plants the edges of the petals 

 will actually meet, in others the petals are nearly straight. The 

 coloring of this class, the blending of shades and tints, is sur- 

 passingly beautiful. 



In form. Decorative Dahlias are about half-way between 

 Cactus and Show Dahlias, being loosely arranged and of largest 

 size. The petals are long, broad, beautiful and regular, though 

 they vary some in the different varieties. The flowers have the 



