History of the Dahlia 1 5 



dates from about 1808, when Hartwig of Karlsruhe 

 obtained a double variety from the single scarlet 

 Dahlia coccinea. The Germans favoured this small 

 form, which obtained the name of Liliputian, on 

 account of the small size of the flowers, and not 

 because of its dwarf growth, for the first varieties 

 obtained from it introduced to this country were of 

 very tall habit. Hence the Pompon varieties have 

 been known as German Dahlias. Our English florists, 

 especially of late years, have greatly improved this 

 type in the newer varieties ; they are now of dwarf 

 and compact growth, singularly free of bloom, admir- 

 ably adapted for adorning the flower garden, and 

 invaluable for all decorative purposes. 



i 



THE CACTUS DAHLIA 



This singularly novel type put in an appearance in 

 England in 1880. Its history and introduction to 

 this country can be stated in a few words. In the 

 year 1872, Mr. J. T. Vander Burg, of Juxphaar, near 

 Utrecht, received a box of flowers from Mexico ; but, 

 by reason of delays in the transit, the contents were 

 for the most part found on arrival to be rotten. All 

 that had roots, or seeds apparently possessing vitality, 

 were sown ; and, among those which grew, was one 

 which produced a small tuberous root, and it eventually 

 proved to be the Cactus Dahlia. It was subsequently 

 named Dahlia Juarezi, after Juarez, a President of 

 the Eepublic of Mexico. By 1874, a good stock of 

 plants had been obtained, and it eventually passed 

 into the hands of Messrs. Anthony Eoozen and Sons, a 

 firm of Dutch nurserymen. Plants of this Dahlia 



c 



