MODERN DAHLIAS 33 



The single dahlias are among the most striking blossoms 

 produced in modern gardens. The flowers are of immense 

 size, with the broad petals of the ray florets furnishing a 

 ground for the most lavish display of color. The flowers 

 are so large that they attract attention from a considerable 

 distance, and consequently may be used along walls and 

 fences which are too far aw r ay from the garden paths to be 

 adorned by plants with smaller flowers. The sub-type of 

 Century Dahlias is one of the most striking of recent intro- 

 ductions. The plants are tall and branch freely, while the 

 flowers are correspondingly large, sometimes over seven 

 inches in diameter. 



For decorative grace that renders them of extraordinary 

 value for use as cut flowers, none of the dahlias can compare 

 with the single cactus forms. There is an element of beauty 

 about these that reminds one of the orchids, and their long 

 petals display some of the most delicate colors imaginable. 

 Any one who aspires to a representative collection of dahlias 

 should certainly plant some of this type, of which Lord 

 Goff is one of the best varieties. 



Some forms are intermediate between single and double 

 types of dahlias. Very recently semi-double Peony Dahlias 

 have been introduced from Holland, which are akin to the 

 Decorative Dahlia in their large, loose petals and pleasing 

 flower form. As is always the case with a flower which is 

 leaping into popularity, some types are introduced which 

 have merely the value of oddity, but in which the real beauty 

 of the flower has been sacrificed. In the case of the 

 dahlia this is illustrated in the French Collarette Dahlias, 

 which have been largely advertised as a desirable novelty. 

 No one with a discriminating sense of the beauty of 



