36 SOME OF TUK BEST " FANCY DAHLIAS." 



beholding the first " fancy" variety met with, and which I believe Mas 

 indeed the first of the class. This was a red and white flower, double, 

 and as tolerable in form as most sorts at that time, now nearly twenty 

 years gone. Levick, a Sheffield merchant, was the raiser, and its name 

 was " Incomparable." I grew it many years, although it was more 

 uncertain than the worst of this day, and long after it was superseded 

 by better flowers of similar colours ; but the fact was I esteemed it as 

 a sort of " auld lang syne." Long acquaintance with the flower 

 showed me the best method of managing it, which I found was to grow 

 it exclusively in well-decayed dung. This lesson I have not forgot, 

 and by treating some of the kinds now in my collection in a similar 

 way I can bloom them with mucli more certainty than in the usual 

 manner. 



Many growers consider it necessary to grow all fimcy Dahlias in 

 poor soil, or witliout manure, but this is a very great mistake, as I have 

 repeatedly proved. The first real striped Dalilia was, I believe, " La 

 Carnation," sent out by Mr. Paul, of Cheshunt ; Mountjoy's Phidias, 

 Bates's Striata formosissima, and one or two others, came out about the 

 same time. These are now quite beaten out of the field, the last few 

 seasons having produced great improvements, some of the stripes being 

 now really beautiful flowers, and of excellent form. It has occurred 

 to me to offer you this list of the best fancy Dahlias I know, for pub- 

 lication in the Cabinet, if you deem it of service. My name accom- 

 panies it to you, as a guarantee that the opinions set forth are those of 

 an old grower, and in whom, perhaps, you may recognize one of your 

 old correspondents. 



Nankeen or Orange-buff and "White. 



Adolph Duhras (Vicomte de Eessequier). — If grown moderately, 

 this is a certain flower, and it has a capital centre. Its great defect 

 invariably is a very bad outline, and the face or front often irregular, 

 requiring some little operation and skill from the hands of an ingenious 

 exhibitor to regulate. Height 4 feet. 



Bou Maza (Salter). — Centre well up, petals ribbed and inclined to 

 reflex, outline irregular. A useful flower, but uncertain, and does best 

 in a stiff" soil. Height 5 feet. 



Miss Stevens (Dodd). — Salmon-buff" and blush white ; the colours 

 distinct enough from each other, but not well defined. Of medium 

 size, very compact and excellent form, tolerably constant, and one of 

 the best. Height 3 feet. 



Yellow and White. 



Florence Domhey (Salter). — Uncertain in its form, being very much 

 quilled and reflexed. Requires to be grown strong and well thinned 

 out, when it will be found often showable ; at any rate it is the best of 

 the yellow and whites yet out. Height 4 feet. 



Red and White. 



Belle Etoile (Miquet). — Vermilion and white ; clear and bright, 

 good in size, outline, and petal, but very hard in the eye. Height 

 4 feet. 



