iJahlias. 133 



the season ; not everyone likes this color ; too late to be an ideal variety, 

 although it was productive enough late in the season. 



Section II. Pompon Varieties. 

 A. Type not fixed ; qualit}-, quantity and position of colors variable. 



Beauty Inconstant. White, yellow and various shades of red or pink ; two 

 or more colors may be combined in the same flower ; very attractive ; was 

 not as prolific last year as Pompons should be and commonly are. 

 AA. Type -well fixed. 



B. Ravs cut, or imbricated. 



White. 



Guiding Star. The nearest to pure white in this class that I know of. 

 There is a little yellow at the base of each ray which ought to be eliminated 

 to make the variety entirely perfect. 



BB. Rays not cut, or imbricated. 



C. Colors single. 



Orange. 



Kleine Doniitea. Early, prolific. 



Scarlet Orange. 

 Vivid. Perhaps the most intense and brilliant color of all tried last year ; 

 not as productive as the average pompon in 1896. Possibly the color is nearer 

 to pure scarlet than scarlet orange. 

 CC. Colors, two or more. 



Whitish, shading to crimson. 

 Little Najade. Recommended chiefly because very early and very pro- 

 lific. In small collections the choice would be merely one of preference of 



color between this and Eleganta. 



Pinkish. 



Eleganta. Face shades of jacqueminot (Kohn), reverse pink (Mathews). 

 The nearest approach to a pure pink I know of in this class, taking A. D. 

 Livoni as the standard of pure pink among dahlias. 



Section III. Large-Fi,owering Varieties. 



A. I/eaflets deeply lobed. 



White, margined red. 

 Fern-Leaved Beauty. Flowers too few, and small for an ideal commer. 

 cial variety. This is of the greatest interest to the amateur and plant-breeder. 

 Habit dwarf. Suitable for bedding. 

 AA. Leaflets of the common type i. e. , not deeply lobed. 



B. Colors single. 



White 



Purity. The nearest to pure white in this class, that we had. There is a 

 slight amount of yellow at the base of each ray which tones the general effect 

 very slightly and should be eradicated from the ideal white. Early, prolific, 

 and habit ideal. Excellent for cutting. 



White, suffused blush pink. 



Ruth. The pinkish tinge is so faint as to allow the flower to pass for a 

 white at a little distance. In small collections it would be an equal choice 

 with Purity. Must be distinguished from 3fiss Ruth. 



