DAHLIA 



A. Plants not very dwarf. 



B. FU. single. 



C. Hays flat, not recurved at the margins. 



1. The Single, Type. Fig. 6G0. 



CO. Hays xvitli recurved inargins. 



2. The Single Cactus Type. Fig. 661. 



BB. ^^5. double. 



c. Size of fls. small, 1-3 in. across. 



D. Hays cupped. 



3. The Pompon Type. Fig. 662. Also called "Bouquet " 



and "Lilliputian." 



DD. Hays flat. 



4. The Pompon Cactus Type. 



cc. Sise of fls. large, 3-5 in. across, averaging 4 in. 



D. Hays cupped. 



E. Colors single, or the edges darker than the ground 



color. 



5. The Show Type. Fig. 663. 



EE. Colors 2 or more, striped, or with edges lighter 

 than the ground color. 



6. The Fancy Type. 



Di>. Rays not cupped, but long and flat, or with re- 

 curved margins. 



7. The Cactus Type. Pigs. 665, 666. 



DDD. Hays various in form. 



8. The Cactus Hybrid Types. Also called "Decora- 



tive" Dahlias. 



AA. Plants very dwarf. 



9. The Tom Thumb Types. 



Societies and Shows.— The Dahlia is one of about a 

 dozen genera of plants whose horticultural value has 

 been attested by permanently successful special socie- 

 ties. There are national Dahlia societies in England and 

 America. Dahlia shows are usually held the second or 

 third week of September. With the growing interest in 

 nature-study, attempts are being made to make a per- 

 manent institution of local fall flower shows, which 

 shall come at a sufficient interval before the Chrysan- 

 themum shows, and in which the children may exhibit 

 their own products. The Dahlia and China ^Aster art.- 

 especially suited for such shows. 



Garden Evolution of Dahlias. — In the evolution 

 of Dahlias in general, some of the great changes are 

 as follows: (1) The growing season has been greatly 

 shortened and the flowering season lengthened. In 

 these and in all other particulars Dahlias were wonder- 

 fully variable even in the first decade of their Eiiropean 

 culture, but in general they bloomed for only a few days 

 before frost. Nowadays, the Dahlia season is in full 

 force a month and a half or two months before frost 

 with a good show of blooms in favored localities for In- 

 dependence Day; and June loth is a record of extreme 

 earliness for Wm. Agnew, after six weeks' growth from 

 tubers planted out of doors. (2) The colors of the flow- 

 ers have been greatly improved, as even the most senti- 

 mental objector to the idea of "improvement" in flow- 

 ers would have to acknowledge if confronted with wild 

 and cultivated plants. The number of colors has been 

 greatly increased and the vividness of the colors inten- 

 sified. Most people can distinguish and enjoy from 12 

 to 30 colors, and these colors have occurred in each type 

 and been carefully saved, purified and strengthened. 

 Dull and intermediate shades tend to drop out. (.3) Im- 

 mense numbers of variegated forms are produced. 

 Broadly speaking, variegation is perhaps later to appenr 

 than pure colors, and is conserved by a formality-loving 

 class. It is said that the Fancy Dahlia originated later 

 than the Show Dahlia, and was for many years inferior 

 in size and outline. It is also said by botanical collectors 

 in Mexico that wild Dahlias are mostly self-colored, 

 rarely variegated. Among the bewildering variety of 

 variegated Dahlias the leading types of variegation are 



DAHLIA 



447 



perhaps only 5: (a) the "tipped" or "shaded" Dah- 

 lias, a very common form, in wliicli tlie ui)per part 

 of the ray is evenly painted witli aimthir color, the 

 former term being used forthe sninlliT, ami tlie latter for 

 the greater amount of secondary color; \b} the "edged" 

 Dahlias, in which the secondary color is contined to the 

 sides of the rays, does not affect the tip, and is usually 

 a broad strip; (c) the "margined" Dahlias, with a very 

 narrow strip of color which outlines the whole margin of 

 therays, and often gives a verydelicate and dainty effect; 

 (d) the " striped and banded " Dahlias, with broad bands 

 down the middle, and often merging into the " edged " 

 forms; {e)the "mottled" Dahlias, which are variously 

 dotted and splashed. (4) Returning now to the broad fea- 

 tures in the evolution of the Dahlia, a foiirth is the pro- 

 duction of varieties with long flowering stems suitable 

 for cut-flowers. Many of the old sorts have thick, short 

 stems with superabundant foliage, which requires 

 thinning. (5) The process of doubling has been carried 

 to an extraordinary degree. The " yellow center " has 

 been the one thing about a forming variety that the 

 florist has hated most and has most relentlessly sup- 

 pressed. It is often a sign of poor stock. The tempta- 

 tion to over-propagate novelties is almost irresistible, and 

 the appearance of a disk is usually taken as a symptom 

 of over-propagation or deficient culture. A yellow center 

 is considered objectionable by nmst people when it 

 occurs with rays of magenta or allied shades, as the 

 colors conflict. There is no question that it lireaks the 

 absolute regularity and unity of a perfect show flower, 

 but it is a question, especially with white and yellow- 

 rayed forms, if the yellow disk does not often add a 

 pleasant variation. Aside from matters of taste, it is 

 probable that no other florists' flower has had more full, 

 precise and minute rules laid do\^Ti for its perfect form 

 than the Show Dahlia. The process of doubling seems 

 to be associated with a cool climate. Dahlia.s soon de- 

 generate to a relatively .single condition in our southern 

 states, and new stock of desired varieties has to be se- 

 cured from the north. (6) The habit has been vastly im- 



662. The Pompon type (X }4)- 



