DAHLIA SUPERFLUA. 51 



Dahlia was published in 1791 . But notwithstanding this, on account 

 of its resemblance to Dalea, M. de Candolle and some other eminent 

 botanists adopted Willdenow'sname of Georgina ; the original name, 

 however, had become so generally established, besides having the 

 priority of publication, that these efforts to supersede it failed. In 

 May, 1804, seeds were reintroduced from Madrid by Lady Holland, 

 which, under the care of M. Buonaluti, prospered ; and during the 

 following autumn several varieties bloomed in the gardens at Holland 

 House, a purple one of which was figured in the " Botanist's Reposi- 

 tory." From these kinds M. Buonaluti succeeded in 1805 in saving 

 a number of seeds, which were liberally distributed. The extension 

 of sorts, however, in this country progressed tardily until the peace 

 of 1814, when numerous sorts were imported from France, Germany, 

 and Holland, where the propagation of new varieties had been more 

 successfully pursued, especially by Count Lelieur at Paris, M. Otto 

 at Berlin, andM. van Eeden at Haarlem. The introduction of these 

 kinds stimulated several intelligent cultivators to more constant 

 attention in the multiplication of varieties, particularly Mr. Joseph 

 Wells, gardener to William Wells, Esq., of Redleaf, near Tonbridge, 

 in Kent, and Mr. David Douglas, gardener to Lady Grantham, at 

 Putney Hill, and the most peculiar success attended their efforts, 

 especially the former, who raised the first double dwarf Dahlia. Sub- 

 sequently, gradually improved kinds were annually produced, until 

 they have at length attained a very perfect and unique shape. The 

 most decided advance, however, towards perfection was made in 



1832 by Mr. George Lynes, gardener to Perkins, Esq., of 



Springfield, in Surrey, in raising [that generally known, and by all 

 cultivators universally admired flower, Springfield Rival. This va- 

 riety was purchased by Mr. Inwood, of Putney Heath, for ten 

 guineas ; but since then the value of a new and superior flower has 

 most remarkably increased : for the stock of one kind during the past 

 season no less a sum than 500/. was asked, and 200 guineas refused 

 for another. The collection of named different kinds, obtained from 

 numerous sources, cultivated in the garden of the London Horticul 

 tural Society in 182G, enumerated but sixty that were then consi- 

 dered good ones, the principal portion of these being scmi-doublc; 

 and yet since that period so rapid and immense has been the increase 

 that the list of our own varieties nt this time is one thousand two 



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