t DAHLIA ANALYSIS 



By E. MAWLBY, Esq., Pres. E. Met. Soc., Pres. National 

 Dahlia Soc. 



(By permission from the Journal of Horticulture} 



IN writing this, the nineteenth Dahlia analysis that I 

 have contributed to the Journal of Horticulture, I am 

 reminded of the great changes that have taken place 

 in the Dahlia world during the period covered by 

 those analyses. In the earlier years of the period the 

 Shows and Fancies formed the mainstay of any Dahlia 

 exhibition, and the splendid new varieties which 

 appeared year by year served to maintain the great 

 interest taken in them, whereas at the present time, 

 although the number of Show and Fancy Dahlias 

 exhibited is still well maintained, they are, at all 

 events for the time being, rendered less prominent 

 than before by the imposing displays of the more 

 generally attractive Cactus Dahlia. The most re- 

 markable contrast is, I think, to be found in the ages 

 of the varieties in the two sections. For instance, 

 there are only five varieties among the Shows on the 

 accompanying table which are less than six years old, 



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