JANUARY. 7 



of yielding perfect blooms , until time and less severe discipline shall 

 hav^e restored it to its pristine state ; and a year or even more may 

 elapse belore this restoration is complete. Here, then, is a sufficient 

 reason, and one of almost universal applicability, why Dahlias, in the 

 first year of their cultivation, so often disappoint the hopes of their pos- 

 sessors. Moreover, the new varieties of last year have had to contend 

 against one of the most trying seasons ever known. Let it not be 

 supposed, therefore, that the broad assertion with which this paragraph 

 commences is to be construed into a sweeping condemnation of the 

 Dahlias let out last spring. On the contrary, 1 am disposed to augur 

 well of the majority of them ; I believe they will all be better another 

 year, and that many of them are destined to become established favourites. 

 J\Iy confidence in them may be inferred from the circumstance that I 

 hope to grow more than three-fourths of the entire number another 

 season. 



Let us now descend a little to particulars. We will give a brief 

 glance at each individual, passing the whole under review, in alpha- 

 betical order. 



A7'iel may be designated as an unfortunate variety, unfortunate in 

 the time of its appearance. Had it come before the world one year 

 earlier its novel and delicate colour would have insured it many 

 friends ; but the contemporaneous appearance of another flower of its 

 class, immeasurably its superior in every respect, has thrown it 

 somewhat into the shade. Exhibitors, who grow on a large scale, 

 may continue to cultivate it, but it will scarcely be needed by those w^ho 

 desire a selection of the very best kinds only. The absence of Beauty 

 of Slough from the exhibitions raises some doubts on the score of its 

 constancy. Flowers of this class are usually unstable ; but, although 

 not to be depended on, they are occasionally produced in such an extra- 

 ordinary state of perfection that we cannot make up our minds to banish 

 them from our collections. It is not improbable that such may 

 prove the character of the variety now under consideration. Colonel 

 Baker must have been a great disappointment to many. From 

 the manner in which it was exhibited as a seedling the highest expecta- 

 tions were naturally formed of it. We must yet have patience. That 

 which has been may be again. There is every probability that this 

 variety will prove to be all that we can expect or desire. Dhairala Giri 

 (what a name !) has something about it very taking. It has not 

 appeared often enough to justify us in giving a very decided opinion ; but 

 we are rather inclined to think that this variety will not detract from the 

 high reputation of its raiser ; presuming it to have sprung from the same 

 source which supplied us with Beeswing, Bob, Wellington, Alice, and 

 many others of high desert. Fanny Keynes is one of the gems of the 

 season ; but will perhaps require some management, in certain localities. 

 On strong, stiff, retentive soils it will produce perfect blooms, and 

 plenty of them, without the slightest trouble ; and in these situations it 

 is one of the most constant Dahlias extant : but on light, porous land the 

 chances are that a very liberal supply of manure and a superabundance 

 of w^ater will be necessary adjuncts to its successful cultivation. Of 

 Glory there is little to be said ; it is a hopeless variety. Golden Eagle 



