FOREWORD 



FOR you, dear friend, amateur of the dahlia, 

 this book is written. 



You are rich, beyond millions, with God's 

 treasures; yet you know it not. Your wealth 

 is stored away, and this key is made to fit the 

 lock of your treasure house. Your questions, 

 asked, often with shy apologies, needed no apolo- 

 gies; they taught me how to fashion the key, and 

 I am grateful. 



So open wide, dear friend. Take these, God's 

 gifts, for the asking. One flower cannot repre- 

 sent the race; one variety is not the whole 

 species. Have abundance and share it with 

 all who come your way. 



Plant your seeds and your bulbs, and the 

 great Artist will come down and work with you. 

 Your hoe will become a wand, and beauty will 

 spring from the dead brown earth which you 

 have touched. He will break up the rainbow 

 and paint the blossoms with the pieces; and you 

 will feel a thrill of joy at thought of partnership 

 with Him who made the world so beautiful. 



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