Catalogue of Varieties 57 



Cactus Dahlias. Such a fact indicates how rapidly 

 the Cactus Dahlia is being developed. 



It would, perhaps, hardly be correct to say that all 

 the varieties which have disappeared from the cata- 

 logues of growers have been eclipsed ; but that they 

 have failed to commend themselves longer to public 

 approbation is certain. If the coloured plates of Show 

 Dahlias in the Dahlia Register are faithful representa- 

 tions of the flowers cultivated in 1836, there must 

 have been then in cultivation varieties which for 

 wonderful beauty and combinations of colouring are 

 not surpassed to-day ! One does not know which 

 most to admire the splendid colouring of these pic- 

 tures, or the magnificent enthusiasm which prompted 

 the publication of so valuable a work, containing as it 

 does over fifty coloured plates. 



In making the selections for various purposes with 

 which this chapter concludes, I have, through the 

 kindness of the editor of The Journal of Horticulture, 

 been allowed to use Mr. Edward Mawley's valuable 

 analysis of the flowers shown at the National Dahlia 

 Society's Exhibitions. The selections for decorative 

 purposes have been prepared from notes of observa- 

 tions made during several seasons from plantations of 

 10,000 plants. 



The selections, as already stated, are mainly for 

 the guidance of the uninitiated. The experienced 

 grower does not require them. He can exercise his 

 own judgment, but he may find pleasure in comparing 

 his lists with those given. So many new Dahlias are 

 now sent out every year that the selections given will 

 not long remain up to date. They will, however, be 

 revised in each new edition of this work. 



