100 ARRANGEMENT. \_May, 



But they are overtaken with, perhaps, a hot dry summer, 

 which " blights" the buds, and are more subject to the dis- 

 ease called "curl;" the young leaves, as they expand, are per- 

 forated with numerous holes; the margins become brownish, 

 as if burnt; they then become curled, placid, and the whole 

 plant unhealthy and dwarfish. The principal stem ceases to 

 grow, and numerous suckers and stems arise from below, 

 forming a dense bush. The flowers of such plant, as might 

 be expected, are small and irregular; and however excellent 

 the variety may be, they yield nothing but disappointment 

 to the anxiously expectant cultivator. This disease is caused 

 by an insect, Cymix Chloroterus, or green bug. It inhabits 

 the extremities of the Dahlia, and grows and feeds on the 

 under surface of the young leaves, and in its destruction is 

 aided by our frequently hot and arid months of July and 

 August. Hence, the reason that the late planting gives 

 most satisfaction, they are in these months in a rapid grow- 

 ing state, and if attacked outgrow the effects, and push at 

 once into bloom in the more moist and cooling month of 

 September. The only remedy that is known for the above 

 evil is, to look over the plants cautiously in the morning 

 when the first attacks are perceptible, and pick off the in- 

 sect; it has to be approached with caution, as it instinctively 

 throws itself down among the leaves if disturbed ; and if it 

 escapes, it again climbs up, and commences its depredations. 

 It is admitted that there are exceeding one thousand distinct 

 named varieties now in cultivation, and it may be desirable 

 to some that a select list of the choicest named sorts now in 

 cultivation should be given : but such is the almost endless 

 multiplicity of kinds, and such the numerous additions every 

 year made, that in a few years those I may mention now as 

 being fine will then most probably be considered wholly 

 useless. However, for immediate profit and benefit, I re- 

 commend the following : — 



PURE WHITE. 



Antagonist, Indispensable, 



Cheltenham Queen, Miss Percival, 



Mount Blanc, Princess Alice. 



