864 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



are devoting much of their attention to it and the re- 

 sults achieved are commensurate with the efforts put 

 forth. The "Cactus" type is now close to the Japanese 

 Chrysanthemum in form, but far more diversified in 

 color. The next great advance was in the development 

 of the type know as "Decorative," a name used to dis- 

 tinguish it from the "Cactus" type from which it 

 sprang, influenced by the "Show" type. For cut flow- 

 ers this is the most useful and ornamental. The form 

 is double, mostly flat, but of good depth ; the rays are 

 rarely recurved at the margins, but show a tendency 

 to incurve in most varieties. Some of the sorts of re- 

 cent introduction are of enormous size, Souvenir de 

 Gustave Douzon under high culture producing flowers 

 10 inches across, 7 to 9 inches being usually attained 

 under normal conditions of culture. The range of col- 

 oring is widening rapidly in this section and at present 

 it is a strong rival to the "Cactus" section. The beauti- 

 ful Madam \'an den Dael, the magnificent Jeannt- 

 Charmet, the splendid and interesting I'rofessor Alans- 

 field (introduced by us), the charming Madame A. 

 Lumiere, the brilliant "Jack Rose," the superb Mrs. 

 Roosevelt show the wonderful advance which has 

 been made in this section. While such varieties exist 

 and improvement on them is possible, the fascination 

 of the Dahlia must exercise its sway. 



Another new and interesting departure in type is 

 the "Collarette" section (see Fig. 1 in cut). The pe- 

 culiarity lies in the development of the stamens at the 

 base of the petals, forming a frill or collar around the 

 center. As they are always distinct in color from the 

 rest of the flower it is most unique and striking. The 

 form is single or slightly semi-double, with eight and 

 more broad petals. 



The Single type (see Fig, 3 in cut) was the original, 

 but in this the development by hybridization has been 

 sensational. The small, star-shaped flov^-er has been 

 replaced by the large, round-petalled sorts of toda\-, 

 with rays overlapping, colors intensified, diversity even 

 in the individual flower wonderfully developed. This 

 type is best exemplified in the so-called "Century" or 

 Clematis-flowered Dahlias. The symmetry of form 

 demonstrates that man's ideal has been indelibh^ 

 stamped on them, that the irregular, somewhat 

 dishevelled flower which came from its native wilds 

 did not meet with his approval and so he changed its 

 form to harmonize with its new surroundings. 



Another and most interesting type is the Quilled. 

 The best representative of it is shown in Grand Duke 

 Alexis (see Fig. 4 in ctit). The petals are folded so 

 that each one is like a quill with an open end. The 

 name is suggestive but unfortunate, as here again, fig- 

 uratively, harshness is suggested while nothing could 

 be softer than the appearance of these beautifully 

 formed flowers. This tyi)e is found in the Pompon as 

 well as large flowering sorts. 



The latest type is called Paeony-Hotvered . The flow- 

 ers are large with several rows of broad petals loosely 

 arranged, suggesting the form of the semi-double 

 Paeonies. Midway between the "Decorative" and 

 Single types, it has already become very popular 

 and many interesting developments are confidentlv 

 expected. 



SOIL AND PREPARATION. 



Dahlias will succeed in any soil which will grow 

 corn or potatoes ; but where a choice can be made it 

 is best to select one rather light, well drained and mod- 

 erately ricli. More flowers and better ones will be 

 produced in such a soil than a heavy one witli clav 

 iKittom ; tlie latter in fact is (he most unsuitable for 



them. Should only such a soil be available let the sub- 

 soil be broken up, repeat every two years at least, and 

 add coarse sand or coal ashes to the top soil to lighten 

 it. Dig or plow to the depth of one foot and follow 

 with rake or harrow to break up and smooth out the 

 soil, a very important cultural item for all crops. Be- 

 fore digging or plowing put on well-rotted barnyard 

 manure 2 or 3 inches deep and thoroughly incorporate 

 it with the soil. Never dig or plow when the soil is wet. 



A COLLECTIOX OF POPULAR VARIETIES. 

 SITUATION. 



This is a matter of prime importance. Dahlias 

 should only be planted in an open situation, away from 

 large trees which would shade them and rob the soil 

 of its fertility, away from the shade of buildings also. 

 While Dahlias will grow and give some blooms under 

 these conditions, the results in the open ground, away 

 from shade, are far better. 



FIELD GROWN ROOTS. 



I recommend the field-grown roots in preference 

 to green plants or pot roots, as being much better for 

 general planting and more certain to produce desirable 

 results. Occasionall}^ new varieties can only be ob- 

 tained in growing plants so that there is no choice left 

 for those who want them. 



PLANTING DISTANCE. 



The Pompon varieties may be planted 2 to 2^4 feet 

 apart, but all the others should be planted 3 to 4 feet 

 apart ; if room is available put them at the greater 

 distances. 



PLANTING TIME. 



Around New York, Dahlias can be planted about the 

 middle of April in favorable seasons and planting may 

 be continued up to the middle of June or even later. 

 Local conditions of soil and weather will determine the 

 exact planting time. As a general rule early planting 

 is advisable. 



STAKING. 



All things considered it is better to use stakes to 

 support Dahlias, and the best time to place them is 

 when the roots are being planted, as it is easy to see 

 then where to put the stake. In tying the stems do 

 not crowd them, as it is of the greatest importance to 

 have them separated so that air and sunlight can find 

 their way freely into the center of the plant. It mav 

 be necessary when the plants are very bushy to put 



