XVI 

 DAHLIAS 



THOSE who remember the early Cactus Dahlias 

 such as Juarezi and Mrs. Hawkins with their 

 somewhat heavy flowers and the unfortunate habit 

 of producing them on short stems, below the 

 foliage, will scarcely recognise, as their progeny, 

 the beautiful flowers of to-day. 



Among the newer varieties of Cactus Dahlias 

 will be found some of the most exquisite flowers 

 for the florist, of colours so quaint and artistic 

 that it is with some trepidation one attempts to 

 describe them. 



Many of them create the most gorgeous masses 

 of colour in the garden, and the flowers themselves 

 are so graceful and dainty that they may be used 

 for every kind of floral work. 



As I write I have in my mind's eye a beautiful 

 table of Cactus Dahlias and autumnal leaves to 

 which, although in competition with many others 



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