Introduction 



National Carnation Society, the National Sweet Pea 

 Society, and the National Dahlia Society. All these 

 are indications of healthy activity in floricultural 

 circles. 



The Dahlia has long been in the front rank among 

 what are known as florists' flowers. It is most amen- 

 able to cultivation, and responds to proper care and 

 good treatment as few flowers do. It is useful in 

 many positions. For securing bold effects on large 

 lawns, clumps of Dahlias cannot be surpassed, while 

 for introducing colour into shrubberies during summer, 

 or for forming back lines in broad borders, few plants 

 are equal to them. It is hardly necessary to say 

 anything regarding their merits as cut flowers. From 

 July right on till frost comes, enormous quantities are 

 available, of every conceivable shade of colour except 

 blue. They- are also most amenable to forcing, and 

 can without difficulty be had in flower under glass in 

 May. At the Temple Show of the Eoyal Horticultural 

 Society in London in May 1896, fhere was a beautiful 

 stand of Dahlias set up for exhibition by Messrs. Dobbie 

 and Co. 



In the cottage garden of the working man, in the 

 villa garden of the merchant, in the extensive grounds 

 of the nobleman, the Dahlia will grow and flourish witli 

 equal fortitude, and produce in abundance its glorious 

 blooms to minister delight and pleasure. 



