3 o THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



evidence. To most people these artificial-looking blossoms 

 had very little interest, and consequently were rarely planted. 

 During the last few years, however, the general introduction 

 of the Pompon, the Decorative, and especially the Cactus 



Dahlias, has served to in- 

 crease very greatly the 

 popularity of the flower, 

 as well as largely to ex- 

 tend its range of useful- 

 ness. 



Several well-marked 

 types of dahlia are now 

 available for any garden, 

 and are displayed as a 

 central attraction of every 

 September exhibit. The 

 Show Dahlia is still grown 

 widely, for a large num- 

 ber of varieties in an ex- 

 traordinary range of color 

 have been introduced, 

 while the qualities have 

 been greatly improved 

 through careful selection. You will notice them in very 

 many border gardens, where they make a pleasing appearance 

 along fences and walls or the sides of buildings. While too 

 heavy and formal to possess the grace one desires for cut 

 flowers, they are yet extremely beautiful in their coloring. 

 The more striking varieties, those striped, spotted, or with 

 light margins to the petals against a darker ground color, 

 are sometimes separately classed as Fancy Dahlias, although 



A Show Dahlia. 



