OBSERVATIONS ON THE DAHLIA. 1<3 



I have very frequently myself grown most of the seedlings 

 sold out this year, and when in bloom I made notices of the qual- 

 ities of each, that I might be guided upon their merits another 

 season. I now submit to those readers of your Cabinet who are 

 Dahlia growers, the remarks, judging it might be of use to a 

 great part of them, and as the season is drawing nigh when the 

 plants are sent out, I shall be glad to see its insertion in an early 



number. 



December, \8th, 1837. 



Girling's Ruby is a first rate show flower, defective in only 



being rather small and the colour not being sufficiently decided. 



" It requires to be grown strong, and the branches well thinned 



away. 



G. Suffolk Hero, is another superior flower, and like the above, 



indispensible to a collection. 



G. Topaz, very fine colour, and moderately good for showing, 

 but not to be depended upon. 



G. Painted Lady, good formed flower and prettily laced, but 



too small for show. . 



G Mailer Ransom, forms an improvement upon picta formo- 

 sissima, from which I have no doubt it is a seedling, 



G. Goliah, large, and not fit for show. 



Jeffrey's Rosea Elegans, fine bright rose, very uncertam, but 

 in its true character one of the best flowers in existence. 



J Sir Robert Harland, a large flower, generally appearing with 

 notched petals, and rather deficient in colour, but may some- 

 times be obtained good enough to show. 



Cameron s Shakespeare, quilled purple, dull colour, and only a 



poor flower. ... 



C. Countess of Mansfield, moderate, somtimes appearing with 



a hard eye. 



C. Duke of St. Albans, very paltry. 



Squibb' s Shakespeare generally comes most beautifully shaded 

 orange and red, the flower is not full enough for a small stand, 

 but will be found very useful in a 24 or upwards 



S. Mary of Little Park, is very pleasing in colour, but, large, 



wide, and ugly in form. 



Bristol Perfection, very dark, uncertain, and the flower rather 

 too thin, but occasionally fine. 



