MARCH. 57 



FANCY DAHLIAS. 



In giving a descriptive list of this class of Dahlias, it must not be 

 lost sight of that there are more grown for decorative purposes than 

 for exhibition. Whether for clumps, avenues, or interspersed in the 

 shrubbery, a striking Fancy Dahlia, possessed of a good habit, is a 

 most desirable plant to cheer us through the autumn months. As a 

 flower for exhibition, if " well done," it is a great attraction. Have 

 Fancy Dahlias made equal improvement with the other class ? We 

 unhesitatingly answer, yes. It is but a few years since that Oakley's 

 Surprise was a perfect wonder amongst its compeers : long as that 

 variety held its ground, it is now beaten out of the field, and is only 

 grown as a border flower. 



If the number of good flowers sent out last season was not great, 

 it was fully compensated for by the quality of a few of them. Fore- 

 most amongst the latter stands Mrs. Hansard, with Rachel, Mrs. 

 Willis, Miss Weyland, Eiegantissima, and Phaeton. 



As a rule, leave more buds on Fancy Dahlias than on the other 

 class : thinning the shoots, and their general treatment, should be the 

 same. 



Belle de Pecq. Dull yellow, striped and spotted with red; full 

 size, good habit ; 3 to 4 feet. 



Mrs. Hansard. Deep 5'ellow tipped with white ; size full, fine 

 form, substance good ; should be grown strong, with moderate 

 thinning ; 2 to 3 feet. 



Conspicua. Purple and white ; a bold showy flower, of good 

 habit, rather flat and uncertain, but good for a border ; 5 feet. 



Eiegantissima. Lavender-purple tipped with white ; a novel pleas- 

 ing variety; tall good habit; moderate thinning and disbudding; 5 ft. 



Elizabeth. Rosy purple, divided by a blush stripe down the 

 centre of each petal ; fine form and constant ; average grow^th 4 feet. 



Empereur de Maroc. An old favourite, but uncertain ; colour very 

 rich, deep maroon and white ; should be got as forward as possible ; 

 leave plenty of buds ; free growth, with plenty of moisture ; 4 feet. 



Floral Beauty. Maroon and white, colours of Jenny Lind ; but 

 not so good in form, grows taller ; 3 to 4 feet. 



Forget-me-not. White and purple ; a neat pleasing flower, but 

 often produces blooms out of form, and is rather flat ; 3 feet. 



Gasparine. Maroon tipped with white ; a conspicuous flower, 

 the colours being so strongly contrasted ; rather thin, grow strong, 

 and disbud freely ; 3 feet. 



General Cavaignac. Purple tipped with white ; a piece of the 

 old root, grown in a stiff soil, or it is liable to come thin in the 

 centre ; 5 feet. 



Highland Chief. Salmon tipped with white ; generally too coarse 

 for exhibition ; leave all the buds, and it is a handsome plant late, if 

 well grown ; 4 feet. 



Jeanneite. Carmine, white tip ; dissimilar, inclined to have a small 

 green eye ; 3 to 4 feet. 



NEW SERIES. VOL. II. NO. XV. F 



