MODERN DAHLIAS 31 



this adjective is used in distinguishing similar colored vari- 

 eties of the other types. 



For almost a century the Pompon Dahlias have been 

 grown, especially on account of their value in furnishing cut 

 flowers, since they blossom profusely and throughout a long 

 period. On this account they are often called Bouquet 

 Dahlias, while by the Germans, with whom these flowers have 

 been very popular, they have been commonly called Lilli- 

 putian Dahlias. They originated about 1808 with a German 

 gardener, who is said to have first obtained the flower as a 

 sport, or accidental variation, from the single-flowered dahlia. 

 A large number of varieties are now offered, the flowers hav- 

 ing a great range of coloring, while they cost less than new 

 varieties of the other types. The plants are usually low in 

 habit, and are used for bedding as well as for growing in the 

 border in front of the taller classes of dahlias. 



By far the most popular type of dahlia is the cactus- 

 flowered form. In this the petals have the edges rolled back 

 lengthwise, and these long, narrow florets are oddly yet 

 gracefully curved in marked contrast to the Show Dahlia. 

 With the introduction of this wonderful blossom, an array 

 of possibilities almost as great as has been seen in the de- 

 velopment of the chrysanthemum was at once opened up. 

 The precise origin of this type is somewhat mysterious. In 

 1872, a gardener in Holland received from Mexico a box of 

 dahlias, most of which had been ruined through long delay 

 in transit. One of them, however, developed into a Cactus 

 Dahlia, the first one known to European gardeners. From 

 this single plant the numerous modern varieties have been 

 developed, and by careful selection in the hands of many 

 growers the blossoms have been constantly improved. There 



