ON THE CULTUnE OF THE DAHLIA. 3 



■we therefore hope, that as the favours of our friends have been so nu- 

 merously and liberally given us in the past, we shall receive a continu- 

 ance of their support in future. And as an active proof that we feel 

 grateful for their favours, no exertion on our part shall be wanting, but 

 our utmost attention and labours shall be so devoted, as to render the 

 Floricultural Cabinet, in some degree worthy the interesting sub- 

 jects it comprises, and enable us at all times cheerfully to address our 

 Correspondents. 



Wortlei/ Hall, Feb. 20th, 1833. 



PART r. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



ARTICLE I.— On the Culture of the Dahlia. By a 

 Nottinghamshire Florist. 



This, one of the most splendid of all flowering plants, is now cultiva- 

 ted in Great Britain nearly universally where local circumstances are 

 favourable. Having very extensive journeys to take during the summer 

 season through most districts of the kingdom, my travelling is made of 

 a very agi-eeable character by observing the very general taste for the 

 cultivation of flowering plants ; and for the last ten years I have no- 

 ticed every successive season a very apparent increase. Among the va- 

 ried attractions in flowers, none has arrested my attention so forcibly as 

 the Dahlia in all its splendid varieties of colour and form, and no other 

 plant of recent introduction has spread so rapidly through the country, 

 which is full proof of the superiority of the flower. 



My travelling admitting of very frequent calls in noblemen, gentle- 

 men, and florist's gardens, also in nursery establishments, it gives me not 

 only the gratification of viewing "in connexion with other things" the 

 flower in question, but at the same time afi"ords me opportunities of 

 seeing where it is cultivated most to perfection. The result of my ob- 

 servations is, that it thrives the best in those situations where the soil is 

 of a sandy nature, and the plants are placed at some distance apart, and 

 not crowded together as is often the case. 



The soil of the neighbourhood of my own residence is of the above de- 

 scription, and the Dahlia is as well cultivated in this district as any- 

 where I have seen. Being a grower of the plant myself to a moderate 

 extent, *nd as successlully as any I see, I send you the result of my 



