Missouri Botanical 
Garden Bulletin 
Vol. XI APRIL, 1923 © No. 4 
THE FALL DAHLIA SHOW 
Each year the dahlia is attracting greater attention in the 
East and to a considerable extent in the West. Numerous 
dahlia shows have been held, and reports indicate that a 
great number of persons view them and that competition 
among the exhibitors is very keen. To stimulate interest in 
the dahlia, a flower that has been somewhat neglected in the 
Middle West, the Missouri Botanical Garden is planning to 
attempt a dahlia show next fall. It is proposed to stage 
this show in the floral display house the first part of October, 
but this time is only tentative as the exact date cannot be 
set until the season draws to a close. Due notice will be given 
later of the date. This show is the first of its kind in this 
region, and the staging of future dahlia shows will depend 
upon its success and the response of the public to it. The 
object of such a show is to stimulate a greater interest in the 
culture of this most beautiful flower, as well as the proper 
staging of the blooms and their artistic arrangement. 
To aid the show as much as possible the Missouri Botanical 
Garden will grow a collection of dahlias from seeds and from 
tubers of the newer and finer varieties, many of these being 
contributed by their originators. The Garden, however, will 
not be a competitor. For a first show the sections in the 
premium schedule will be few and the classes limited. Special 
classes for named varieties are not warranted this year. While 
the show will be open to both commercial growers and ama- 
teurs, ribbon awards only will be made to amateurs. 
The following is the preliminary schedule: 
Section I—Specimen blooms (one to a vase). 
Class A—Cactus. 
Class B—Collarette. 
Class C—Decorative. 
Class D—Peony-flowered. 
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