MAKING SELECTIONS 5 



selected that are more or less compact in growth, free in 

 flowering, and that bear their blooms on stalks of sufficient 

 length and rigidity to carry them well above the foliage. This 

 is necessary in the case of all the sections, but more especially 

 should attention be given to these points in making selec- 

 tions of the cactus varieties. Those who are able to do so 

 should make visits to gardens and nurseries where repre- 

 sentative collections are grown, at the time the Dahlias are 

 in bloom, as the knowledge thus gained will be of much 

 assistance not only in making purchases, but in arranging 

 the plants in the garden. Not only should they inspect as 

 many collections as possible but also follow the selections 

 that are given under the several classes in this work, as they 

 have been prepared from notes made in the garden and 

 with special reference to the purpose for which they are 

 recommended. It will also be found of very considerable 

 importance to act upon the advice given with regard to 

 adapting the cultural details to the object in view. 



With reference to the relative merits of the several 

 classes, it will suffice to say that this is a point which may 

 with advantage be left for every reader to determine for 

 himself. Whether this or that section should be regarded 

 as the best is a matter of taste. If the garden is small the 

 sections consisting of varieties that do not attain a large size 

 will be preferable, as they will admit of a representative 

 selection being grown in a limited space : for a somewhat 

 similar reason the giant decorative and the paeony-flowered 

 varieties are not so suitable for gardens of medium size as 

 for those having a large area. Whether the varieties be- 

 long to the cactus or show, or the pompon or single sections, 

 is not a matter of consequence, provided the class or 



