THK DAHLIA 



CHAPTER VI II. 



DAHLIA EXHIBITIONS. 



O flower is better adapted for exhibition purposes than the 

 Dahlia, which fact is fully appreciated in England where 

 Dahlia shows not only exceed the chrysanthemum 

 shows in number, but in surpassing beauty and popu- 

 larity. In England, France, and Germany, but es- 

 pecially in England, Dahlias are universally grown by 

 all classes, and almost every town and hamlet as well 

 as the large cities, have a Dahlia show of their own. There, in almost every 

 garden, can be found the most beautiful varieties, grown especially for the local 

 Dahlia exhibition, where the titled gentleman and his humblest laborer com- 

 pete on equal terms for the same prizes. Nor does the humbler man compete 

 in vain, for, in many cases, he wins the prize for which he has striven so 

 hard. As the Dahlia requires no special conditions or greenhouses, it is 

 entirely a matter of science and skill, and there is everywhere such a strong, 

 yet friendly, competition, as to arouse the greatest popular interest and 

 enthusiasm. 



How different in America. Here we have no shows during the summer 

 and early autumn months ; but, early in November, there comes such a deluge 

 of Chrysanthemum shows as to almost bewilder us. Our florists and horti- 

 culturists seem to think the Chrysanthemum the only flower worthy of an 

 exhibition ; and, then complain because the masses do not agree with them. 

 The November Chrysanthemum shows are losing in popularity, simply because 

 the masses are not interested in a flower they cannot grow ; they admire them, 

 but, lacking interest, do not care to see about the same thing from year to 

 year. 



Somehow our leading horticulturists do not realize this, for the} r are 

 now discussing this monotony of, and lack of interest in, the flower shows. 

 They attribute it to the system as may be seen from the following quotation : 

 ' ' The next question is, how to get the masses to lend us their eyes and ears. 

 The present system seems to fall short somewhere, and is pretty near a 

 failure." 



For summer and early autumn shows, especially in small cities, towns, 

 and even country villages, the Dahlia offers great possibilities, as it requires 

 no special condition and can be grown to perfection in every garden, with 



