AN ENCYCLOPJEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
431 
Demonorops—continued. 
D. ornatus (adorned), A very pretty species, having finely-cut 
pinnate Bree At present, itis very rare. Java, 1815. 
i embanicus (Palembang). 1. pinnate, broadly ovate; 
ч T numerous, е elongated; petioles erect, armed at 
the back with somewhat stout deflexed spines, which are 
thickened at the base; young leaves of a bright cinnamon 
brown, Sumatra, 1872. 
D. periacanthus (ring.spin 1. broadly ovate, pinnate; 
petioles furnished with Bera ines, which are set on in 
irregular rings; young leaves nearly straw-coloured. А. 15ft. 
Sumatra, 1872. whis species resembles D. palembanicus. 
. plumosus (pl * 1. of а rich dark green, remarkably 
2 lume-like, (p vea A to 4ft. or more in length; ріппге 1ft, 
less than lin. wide, tapering to à narrow point, pendent ; 
petia лута armed with SIUE black spines, which аге white 
at the base. India, 1870. A very elegant species. 
DAFFODIL. See Narcissus. 
DAHLIA (named after Dr. Dahl, a Swedish botanist, 
and pupil of Linnwus). Syn. Georgina. ORD. Composite. 
A popular genus of herbaceous plants, having a double 
involucre, no pappus, and a large scarious bracteole at 
the base of each floret. There are but a small number 
of species, and all are natives of Mexico and Central 
America, 
The Dahlia was first introduced into this country from 
Spain, in 1789, by the Marchioness of Bute. This im- 
portation, and another made by Lady Holland, in 1804, 
were, however, lost to cultivation. A third stock was 
afterwards brought from France, about the year 1815, 
and from this the numerous forms have been obtained. 
It is most probable that nearly all the types and varie- 
ties of the-common garden Dahlia now in cultivation 
have originated from D. coccinea (see Fig. 602), D. 
Mercki (see Fig. 605), and D. variabilis (see Fig. 606). 
Being among the best of outside autumn-flowering plants, 
and, moreover, propagated and grown, Dahlias form 
indispensable subjects for flower-garden decoration, suit- 
able for those of either large or small dimensions. 
There are four important classes into which Dahlias 
may be divided, in addition to a few minor ones, con- 
taining only a limited number of representatives. These 
are known as Show, Fancy, Bouquet or Pompone, and 
Single-flowered. D. Juarezii represents a small class, 
with semi-double flowers, distinct from any of the others. 
D. excelsa and D. imperialis reach a great height before 
flowering, and are best grown in pots for greenhouse 
decoration in autumn and winter. Show Dahlias are all 
double, and require to have large flowers of the most 
perfect form to be considered good. Selfs and pale- 
coloured flowers, edged or tipped with a darker colour, 
are included under Show varieties. Flowers of a similar 
size, but having florets dark-coloured at the base, and 
ва Bedding section, have double 
flowers of а much smaller size; various colours are in- 
invariably very pretty; the habit 
pact, constituting these the best for 
bedding purposes, and the flowers are most useful for 
cutting, when Double ones are required. The Single- 
flowered varieties have again become very popular, and 
are amongst the most beautiful and useful subjects for 
eut flowers. The form and size of flower-heads in all 
the sections have now attained a high degree of excel- 
lence. White, yellow, red, and purple, with a great 
variety between of these colours intermixed, are also 
represented in each of the large classes. 
PROPAGATION. Dahlias are propagated by seeds, cut- 
ings, division of the roots, and sometimes by grafting. 
- These are produced by the Single varieties in 
large quantities, but not so freely by the Doubles. Ob- 
ung seeds from the latter is mostly -restricted to 
florists who make this plant a speciality, and who do 
it with a view to raising new varieties. The colours 
of the Single flowers are reproduced by this method 
je 
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А A ta 
fo бн 
Dahlia—continued. 
tolerably true to character, and only those that are good 
should be selected from which to save seed. Sow thinly in 
pans, at the end of March, and place on а hotbed or in 
а propagating house. The seedlings will soon appear, 
and should then be placed singly in pots, and grown ' 
on for a time in the same temperature.  Repot as 
becomes requisite, and gradually harden off in a cool 
frame, ready for putting outside at the end of May. If 
liberally treated, large plants and good flowers may be 
Obtained the first season. 
Cuttings. This is the method of propagation usually 
adopted, and is easily accomplished in spring. The roots 
ving been stored and kept dry in winter, should be 
introduced to bottom heat at the beginning of February, 
and these, but not the crowns, should be covered with soil. 
A slight syringing daily will be sufficient to induce the pro- 
duetion of shoots, and each of these may be removed, if 
required, as soon as it has two joints. If placed singly 
in small pots of light leaf soil and sand, and plunged in 
a close frame, roots will soon be emitted, and the plants 
may be hardened, repotted, and transferred to cooler 
positions, as recommended for seedlings. Cuttings of 
Dahlias root best when taken in this way quite young; 
and, as a succession soon appears, any variety may be 
readily increased. The tops of the young shoots also 
strike freely in summer. 
Division of Roots. All Dahlias have several fleshy 
S. 
Fic. 600. DAHLIA, FLESHY ROOTSTOCK. 
tuber-like roots (see Fig. 600) that may be separated singly 
for propagating after they are started in spring, all 
Ета. 601. Dania Roors, divided for Propagating. 
one shoot to each 
large pots, vigorous plants may 
outside late 
number of 
be so many 
e side. A fleshy 
epared, by having 
made for the reception _ 
CurTIVATION. Being vigorous-growing plants, Dahlias 
require a rich, moderately heavy soil to give the best 
results; but their cultivation will often prove successful 
