The Popularity of the Dahlia 



The increasing popularity of the Dahha as a favorite 

 flower for the garden was again confirmed by the 

 interest manifested in the first annual show of the 

 American Dahlia Society which was held in the 

 American Museum of Natural History, New York. 

 September 24-25-26. The value of the dahlia as a 

 decorative flower was prominently featured at this 

 show although the displays of individual varieties 

 were never before equalled at a Dahlia show in this 

 country. 



While the commercial growers were more promi- 

 nently identified with the exhibition than the private 

 growers, it may be expected that in another year 

 greater interest will be shown by the private gardener 

 and amateur in competitive classes. 



W. Atlee Burpee & Company, who won the gold 

 medal for the best general display, and R. Vincent, Jr., 

 & Sons Company-, who won the silver medal, had 

 splendid collections of many varieties. The especially 

 fine cactus varieties introduced by W. A. Manda 

 within the last year or two, attracted general atten- 

 tion and much favorable comment. John Scheepers & 

 Company, Inc., also contributed a fine collection of 

 seedling cactus dahlias. 



Among the private growers who carried oft' honors 

 were: E. M. Townsend (lames Duthie, gardener). 

 Oyster Bay, N. Y. ; Mrs. H." Darlington (P. W. Popp, 

 gardener). Maniaroneck, N. Y. ; William Shillaber (J. 

 P. Sorenson, gardener). Essex Fells, N. J.; William T- 

 Matheson (James Kirby, gardener), Huntington, N, 

 Y. ; Arthur Daly, New York; Mrs. Eleanor F. Fuller- 

 ton, Medford, N. Y. ; Miss Elizabeth Morehouse, Fair- 

 field, Conn.; Mrs. C. A. Stout, Short Hills, N. J.; John 

 F. Anderson, Bernardsville, N. J.: Mrs. E. T. Barrel!. 

 Plainfield. N. J. Special prizes were awarded to Bob- 

 bink & Atkins and George Stillman for meritorious 

 exhibits. 



Judging by current reports many of the Dahlia 



shows throughout the country were no less patron- 

 ized than the important show held in New York, and 

 at many of these community shows there was much 

 friendly rivalry in the competition between profes- 

 sional and amateur growers. 



It was no uncommon sight at some of these shows 

 to see men and WLunen passing along the long rows 

 of exhibits, note-book in hand taking notes of the 

 dift"erent varieties that appealed to them from which to 

 make selections later to add to their garden collec- 

 tions. With the many hundred varieties exhibited 

 at some of the shows these enthusiasts, no doubt, found 

 much to occupy their time. 



As the cultivation of the Dahlia is no difficult task, 

 recjuiring little more than ordinary care to produce 

 some of the fine blooms seen at the shows, it is 

 not to be wondered that the Dahlia has become such 

 a favorite among garden lovers. 



Of the several novelties here illustrated, the introducer, 

 W. A. Manda, says that the Dahlia Mrs. Alfred I. Dupont, 

 is one of the most extraordinary varieties in cultivation. 

 Of good habit it will begin flowering early in the season 

 and continue until frost. Its foliage is of a luxuriant 

 growth, with stems strong and upright, two feet in length, 

 supporting an extraordinary large flower perfectly double. 

 Its color is of the lirightest ruby red, showing scarlet 

 under artificial li.ght. It has several times been judged 

 as the best decorative dahlia at important shows. 



Another l')15 introduction of Mr. Manda's, the Dahlia 

 Albert Manda, is said to be the largest flowering Dahlia 

 in cultivation, with fine green foliage and stout stems 

 terminating in extraordinary flowers nearly a foot in 

 diameter, of beautiful shades of lemon, white and ]iink, 

 varying according to season and situation. 



The Dahlia Gertrude Manda is a fine grower, with long 

 stems and medium size, but beautifully formed flowers of 

 a peach blow shade of color. 



DISPLAY .\T THE .\MERIC.\X MUSKUM OF N..\TURAL HISTORY SHOW, XEW YORK, SHOWING T(J WHAT EXTENT THE 



DAHI-IA CAN BE EMPLOYED FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES. RICH.\RD VINCENT, TR., FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE 



.\MERIC.\N DAHLIA SOCIETY, IS SEEN IN THE PH0T0(;R.\PH. 



