674 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



RECENT POrULARlTY AND MODERN TYPES. 



The dahlia is mucli more popular to-day than ever before. It was in great favour 

 some years ago but declined in popularity owing to its somewhat stiff formal 

 api>earance. This was especially true of the " Show " dahlias. With the introduction 

 of new types this prejudice against dahlias has somewhat lessened and to-day there 

 is a distinctly revived interest in dahlia growing. The '• Cactus," " Decorative," 

 " Paeony-flowered " and lastly the newest " Collarette " dahlias are not known to many 

 people who recall only the older type of show dahlias. 



Collarette dahlias and other dahlias when raised from seed form very useful border 

 plants and give blossom late in the year when bloom in the perennial border is rather 

 scarce. It is not necessary to save roots when thus used as seed sown each year gives 

 strong plants and abundance of them. 



The named varieties of dahlias run up into the thousands. " Show " dahlias 

 are generally of one colour, " Fancy " of two or more. These two types constitute 

 the older and better-known dahlias. 



The " Cactus " first appeared about 1880 and is the most popular type to-day. 

 The " Decorative " or Cactus hybrids possess broad flat rays and are much less stifE 

 in appearance than the show and fancy. ''Pompon" dahlias are dwarf forms of the 

 show type but the plants are very prolific and the individual flowers are rather pretty. 

 " Single " dahlias are, as the name implies, single forms of different types of dahlias. 

 The single cactus dahlias are prettier than the ordinary single. A " Quilled " dahlia 

 is midway in type between the show and the decorative or cactus, and the florets are 

 rolled for about two-thirds of their way up. This gives the quilled appearance, hence 

 the name. These quilled generally form a distinct class. 



The most recent introduction is the " Collarette " dahlia. The flowers are single 

 with an additional row of short petals or florets around the disk. Tiis presents the 

 appearance of a frill or collar and, as it is usually of a different colour from the 

 remainder of the flower, the total effect is novel and pleasing. The first Collarette 

 dahlia Avas introduced in 1900, and offered for sale in 1901. This type has been raised 

 from seed and tested at the Farm now for several years and given considerable satis- 

 faction. Seedlings are produced in various colours. They can be procured, however, 

 as named varieties. 



The " Pseony-flowered " dahlia is another recent introduction and did not appear 

 in America till 1908. Recently a fragrant form of this type was introduced which 

 promises to become popular. 



The dahlia has been grown as a garden flower for about 100 years. Where the 

 summers are suitable the amateur will find few flowers which will respond more readily 

 to care and make such an imposing show. The varieties given below are of some of the 

 older types which have withstood the severe tests of the Ottawa summers and are 

 therefore recommended.. Xew varieties not in these lists should also be grown. 

 • 



Complete List of Dahlias Tested at Ottawa: — 



A. D. Livoni. 

 American Flag. 

 Aurata. 



Austin Cannell. 

 Beauty Inconstant. 

 Bird of Passage. 

 Bishop of Durham. 

 Blanche Keith. 

 Blue Oban. 

 Bon Ton. 

 Cactus Queen. 

 Cannell Gem. 

 Capstan. 

 Ctitharine Duer. 



Gabriel. 



Gem. 



Gilt Edge. 



Gloriosa. 



Grand Duke Alexis. 



Harry Stredwick. 



Hector. 



Herbert Turner. 



Hubert. 



Island Queen. 



Iridescent. 



Jessie jNIcIntosh. 



John Cowan. 



John Sladden. 



Mrs. Glaastone. 



Mrs. Leopold Seymour. 



Mrs. Peart. 



'Mrs. Langtrj-. 



Mrs. Wheeler. 



Mrs. Winters. 



Nemesis. 



Oriole. 



Paragon. 



Pendent. 



Perfect Vallon. 



Prof. Zacharias. 



Prince of Orange. 



Prince Imperial. 



Ott.\wa. 



