THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



one may in the last few' days of the season be oppressed by 

 remorse over having sacrificed buds recklessly. 



There are certain varieties (e. g., Master Carl and Albert 

 Manda) sometimes known as " crotch bearers," in which the 

 flower-stalk is naturally short and in which the removal of lateral 

 buds and branches is always to be recommended unless one likes 

 to see flowers modestly hiding beneath the foliage or enjoys the 

 surprise of suddenly finding a fully opened flower in some 

 secluded fork. Certain choice varieties {e. g., Delice) that are 

 habitually rather poor bloomers can often be forced and en- 

 couraged to blossom by rigorous pruning of lateral branches. As 

 in other flowering plants, it is desirable to remove withered 

 flowers, unless one wishes to preserve seeds. 



Sixty, Choice Varieties 



Although dahlias are, generally speaking, easy to cultivate and 

 have few enemies, they are occasionally disappointing for reasons 

 that are not wholly obvious. Some of the most beautiful sorts 

 are evidently " temperamental " and do not perform well unless 

 conditions of climate, soil, etc., are just right. Other varieties 

 may nearly always be depended upon to flourish well and bluom, 

 almost regardless of the way the plants are treated. The 

 Countess of Lonsdale (cactus) and Minnie ("Mina") Burgle 

 (decorative) are perhaps the two most dependable varieties and 

 as they also stand high in general attractiveness, they are prob- 

 ably the two best varieties to recommend to beginners. Varieties 

 that do well in one region or in some particular spot may not suc- 

 ceed so well in some other region or spot. Varieties that flourish 

 famously one season may be a total failure the next season, pos- 

 sibly on account of the infection of the roots by some obscure 

 fungus or on account of some mysterious "physiological" lower- 

 ing of the vitality of the roots during the winter dormancy. Some 

 of the best exhibition varieties commonly produce only a few 

 flowers. 



In selecting a restricted list with special reference to garden 

 decoration and generally effective results, one must consider gen- 

 eral vigor and freedom of blooming as well as the beauty of in- 

 dividual flowers. And there are such wide differences of taste 



296 



