FEBRUARY. 25 



THE DAHLIA. 



If some of our Florist flowers do not progress so rapidly to- 

 wards perfection as could be desired, this cannot be said of 

 the Dahlia. It is our pleasing duty to record the production 

 of several first-class varieties raised in 1851, and which have 

 been extensively exhibited and " proved," as it is termed, in 

 1852. Foremost amongst these is the subject of our present 

 Illustration ; a flower of first-rate qualities, with the advantage 

 of being the greatest novelty that has been produced for many 

 years past. In fact, we have not had a bright-yellow ground 

 Dahlia since the days of Cedo jNTulli, a variety raised by Mr. 

 Pothecary, Up way, near Dorchester, about 1833, and sent out 

 by Mr. Widnall of Grantchester. We have had buff-ground 

 Dahlias ; for instance, Hudson's Princess Royal, Stein's Con- 

 queror of the World, with a lemon-coloured ground, Gilding's 

 Conspicua, Barnes' Albert and William Tell, with a foreign 

 variety or two, which make up the list of flowers approaching 

 this class ; but all were in a short time discarded, principally 

 for want of form. In the present instance we have bright- 

 ness of ground-colour and richness of marking ; it is also deep 

 and finely built, with stout smooth petals, which are very 

 symmetrically arranged. It has been twice before the Na- 

 tional Floricultural Society, and received their highest award. 

 In fact, had it been third-class in form instead of first-class, its 

 distinctness would have made it popular. This fine variety 

 was raised by Mr. G. Wheeler of Warminster, Wilts, who 

 some years ago produced several very popular kinds, of which 

 the principal were Wheeler's Venosa, sent out in 1835; War- 

 minster Eival, sent out in 1836 ; and Maria in 1840. 



The popularity of the Dahlia, we are glad to say, is not 

 diminishing ; on the contrary, from the opportunities we have 

 of forming an opinion, we can with confidence state that it is 

 increasing. At one time the Dahlia declined, not so much 

 from want of patronage, as from injudicious friends. Let us, 

 however, look at the pleasing side of the question, and relate 

 with what interest amateurs, and in large numbers too, still 

 bring their productions to our exhibitions ; and in many parts 

 of the north the taste for this flower is evidently becoming 

 more general. The Dahlia presents many advantages to those 

 also who grow flowers to enjoy them at home only, and have 

 but a limited space, as it produces a long succession of bloom ; 

 and should an insect perchance destroy your first bud, or if it 

 should be injured by wind or other causes, one has not long 

 to wait for a second blossom. 



NEW SERIES, VOL. III. NO. XXVI. D 



