Plate 558. 

 DAHLIA— MRS. SAUNDERS. 



There are manifest symptoms that the noblest autumnal 

 flower we possess is once more coming into favour, and in 

 nothing is this more clearly seen than in the attention which 

 is given to seedling flowers. We have seen this year as enthu- 

 siastic groups collected round stands of seedling Dahlias as we 

 used to see in former days, and have a good hope that the 

 vulgar outcry against the flower for its solidity of form will 

 cease, and its great decorative merits be recognised. 



The past season has been an unfavourable one for many 

 florist's flowers, and for the Dahlia amongst others. The cold of 

 June and July severely retarded their growth and period of 

 blooming, so that at the two great shows. Bishop Auckland iu 

 the north, and the Metropolitan Floral Society's at the 

 Crystal Palace, the display was not by any means equal to 

 last year. But we at the same time say that finer seedlings 

 have been exhibited than we remember for some years 

 past. 



Mrs. Saunders was raised and exhibited by Mr. Charles Turner 

 of the Koyal Nursery, Slough. It is one of the fancy class, the 

 colour white, with a beautiful sulphur tip to each petal. It has 

 been awarded a first-class certificate by the Metropolitan 

 Floral Society and by the Floral Committee of the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society. 



