THE DAHLIA. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE DAHLIA. 



HE Dahlia (Dahlia Variabilis of Linnaeus) is a tender tuberous 

 rooted perennial ; a native of Mexico, and was first discovered 

 by Baron Humboldt in 1789. It was sent by him to Prof. 

 Cavenilles, of the Botanical Gardens, Madrid, who named it 

 Dahlia, in honor of the celebrated Swedish botanist, Prof. 

 Andrew Dahl. It was introduced into England in the same 

 year (1789) by the Marchioness of Bute, who secured a plant 

 from Prof. Cavenilles. Although this plant was grown under glass and re- 

 ceived the greatest care, the stock was finally lost and it was reintroduced into 

 England by Lady Holland in 1804. In France, Spain and Germany the 

 Dahlia also received great attention, and to this day is still prized as one of 

 their finest summer and autumn blooming plants. Although other species were 

 found and introduced from Mexico, yet it is remarkable that they should not 

 hybridize and, except D. Coccinea. Cav. , were not general!}' grown. Both 

 D. Variabilis and D. Coccinea broke into numerous colors and became gene- 

 ral favorites with the botanists and gardeners, who raised many new varie- 

 ties from selected seed. A great impetus was given Dahlia culture in 1814, 

 with the introduction of the first double variety. From this variety and 

 several others that quickly followed, nearly all our present named varieties 

 were produced. 



Though the Dahlia was found so close to the United States, as is usually 

 the case, it was not introduced directly from Mexico, but was shortly afterward 

 introduced from England in the form of several improved varieties. In 

 America, as in Europe, the Dahlia soon became a great favorite and was 

 universally grown. 



There is one peculiarity that must not be overlooked ; during thirty to 

 fort}* years of constant improvement the one aim was to produce perfectly 

 double, regular, ball-shaped flowers ; the nearer a perfect ball they were the 

 more highly they were prized. This type had by 1840 reached almost per- 

 fection, and was the only type considered worth growing. At this time, and 

 for many years afterward, the Dahlia was the favorite garden plant with 

 amateurs, gardeners and florists. 



But as the demand seemed to be assured, the seedsmen and florists con- 

 tinued to grow mainly the single and show or ball-shaped varieties, and when 



