ARRANGING DAHLIAS 105 



bringing Dahlias before a larger number of flower-lovers, 

 and showing them in the most conclusive manner their 

 great value for floral decorations of the most varied 

 character. 



During the comparatively short period that has elapsed 

 since the opening days of the twentieth century, cultivators 

 for business purposes have proved to demonstration, by the 

 collections they have contributed to the leading exhibitions, 

 that Dahlias can be arranged to produce the most charming 

 effects without any greater difficulty than is associated with 

 other classes of flowers. In these collections may be seen 

 Dahlias arranged in vases, baskets, bamboo stands, and other 

 devices ; and it would be well were the competitive classes 

 to be so modified as to admit of such receptacles being 

 used freely throughout the exhibition, and thus render the 

 attractions so varied as to maintain the interest of visitors. 

 It may not be advisable to effect the total abolition of the 

 orthodox boxes, which have been in use since the earliest 

 days of Dahlia exhibitions ; but there can be no question 

 as to the advisability of vases being more largely used. In 

 no way do flowers, when cut from the plant, present a 

 more pleasing appearance than when so arranged that some 

 part of the stem, and a little of the foliage, can also be seen. 



What is true of flowers generally is applicable to the 

 Dahlia in its diversity of form, and even show Dahlias, 

 when arranged in rather large vases of suitable design, are, 

 contrary to the general opinion, far more effective than 

 when placed on a sloping board. It is not practicable to 

 exhibit in vases blooms of such large dimensions as those 

 staged in accordance with the orthodox method ; but the 

 charm of the show Dahlia is not dependent on the size of 



