82 BULBS AND TUBEKOUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
the most delicate neutral tint, and so perfectly blended 
that nothing but the most perfect harmony is visible. 
The raising of Dahlias from seed is one of the pleas- 
ures of gardening, and we cannot understand why the 
practice is not more common, since it is attended with so 
little difficulty in proportion to the success gained. ‘The 
certainty of getting some very fine varieties is well bal- 
anced by getting some that are not worth growing, but 
these are easily thrown away, giving the remaining 
plants a better opportunity for development. To get 
choice seed is the important work; this, many growers 
think, can only be obtained by cross-fertilization, from 
which opinion we dissent. Our opinion, based on years 
of experience, is that selection is the more important 
work. ‘To choose for seed-bearing plants such as have 
the greatest vigor, grace of habit, and, withal, such as 
have the most desizable flowers, as regards color, form 
and markings. Seed from medium or poor flowers 
should never be saved, ncither should seeds from a plant 
that has produced other than perfect flowers, and these 
should be grown away from the ornamental border, as 
but few flowers should be left on the plant for seed ; the 
other of the buds to be taken off, in order that the seed 
may have the full strength of the plant for its develop- 
ment. The seed of the single Dahlia should be saved in 
August, if possible; if left until the nights are cool the 
flowers will have a tendency to become double; the 
floral discs will elongate, to protect the seed from the 
cold, which they do not do in hot weather. It is a sin- 
gular fact that a low temperature is favorable for double 
forms. In hot climates the flowers of the Dahlia will 
not remain double, and they can only be produced by 
getting tubers annually from cold climates; and it is 
nearly as difficult to retain the single forms in cool 
climates. 
Cultivation and Propagation.—While the Dahlia 
will grow wherever planted, whether the soil be heavy or 
