130 REMARKS ON THE DAHLIA. 



ARTICLE X.— A FEW REMARKS ON THE DAHLIA. 



BY A STAR IN THE EAST. 



The Dahlia, although one of the most magnificent flowers cultivated, 

 is as much, or more, subject to variableness and uncertainly than any 

 other flower we have ; and amongst the best varieties grown, there is 

 not one upon which reliance can be placed. 



In one garden, we observe some particular sort blooming in the 

 greatest perfection, whilst in another we see the very same kind having 

 nothing but imperfect, even single blossoms; and thus it is we find 

 the flower spoken of in the highest terms by some persons, whilst 

 others discard it as being worthless. This has frequently occur- 

 red, and I would mention the names of some individuals who have 

 done so, and who are experienced growers to a great extent, and 

 well know the properties constituting a good flower; such as Messrs. 

 Brown, Widnall, Squibb, Brewer, Harrison, Levick, &c. &c. They 

 have, even when grown the first season, discarded such flowers as 

 Widnall's Granta, Douglas's Criterion, Aldam's Superb Yellow, 

 Ladv Fordwich, Harrison's Unique, Metropolitan Perfection, and 

 many others of equal merit; but when subsequently seen by them in 

 the collections of other groyvers, their properties have been acknow- 

 ledged to be of the very first rate quality. 



With regard to the opinions advanced on the qualifications required 

 to form a good flower, they are almost as endless in variety as the 

 Dahlia itself, for ever}' grower has his own opinion. However, 

 it must be generally admitted that form must stand Jirst, colour 

 next, and size last. In my opinion, the rules laid down in a former 

 number of the Cabinet is a correct criterion, by which judges of 

 the flowers ought to be governed. I have many times seen in- 

 stances at the different Dahlia exhibitions I have attended, where 

 the first prize was awarded to a stand of flowers, merely because it 

 contained the sole merit of having larger floyvers than its rivals, and 

 far superior formed flowers, but less in size, come in for a second or a 

 third prize. I have seen also, that, in the prizes of the different classes, 

 the same sort of arrangement has been made, and Wilmot's Superb 

 has been placed first, whilst Springfield Rival comes in as a fourth, 

 although the bloom was perfection itself in form and colour. In fact, 

 I have sometimes concluded, that in the opinion of some, it mattered 

 not how ugly the flower might be, even if disfigured with an eye, it 

 was sure to gain a prize if it were but sufficiently large. I venture to 

 mention for the guide of those growing large flowers, the societies at 

 Lynn, Maidstone, Hertford, and Wakefield. If one of the commit- 



