DAHLIA 81 



DAH'LIA continued. 



The very large number that have been cultivated 

 and hybridised owe their origin to either of the 

 following wild kinds : D. cocci' nea, D. Merck'ii, 

 D. Juare'zi, or D. varia'bilis, all natives of Mexico. 



The variations are now divided into several 

 classes, called Show, Fancy, Pompon, Cactus, 

 Decorative, Single and Tom-Thumb Dahlias. Show 

 and Fancy Dahlias are not so often seen as they 

 used to be, the lighter Cactus and Single forms 

 having become more popular. If they are to be 

 raised from seed, it is useless to give names, as they 

 seldom come true. 



The Pompon or Bouquet class is small, double, and 

 compact, very prolific flowers of numerous 

 hues. Height about 2| to 3J ft. 



The Cactus class is nowadays the most popular, 

 being large but light in appearance, with long 

 twisted petals, some 5 ins. across, forming 

 bushes about 5^ ft. high. There are both 

 single and double forms. 



The Decorative class grows about 3J to 4 ft. high, 

 the blooms being something between a Single 

 Dahlia and a Cactus, the petals being rolled 

 and somewhat pointed, but not so much so as 

 a Cactus. 



Single Dahlias are coming into favour, as they lend 

 themselves very well for vases in the house. 

 They are bright, light, and elegant, and about 



