The Dahlia in America \ 13 



from plants that never were artificially watered ; but 

 the plants were on a moderately heavy soil. In the 

 case of the sandy soils already referred to, water can 

 naturally be applied in unlimited quantity without 

 really giving much to the plant, for from the very 

 nature of the soil it will dry out almost as soon as 

 watering is stopped. 



It has been recommended already to let the plant 

 grow naturally. In some quarters it is the practice 

 to plant early and then pinch out the tip of the young 

 shoot to induce it to branch, and incidentally, it may 

 be remarked, it ensures a later growth. The largest 

 growers, whether commercial or amateur, do not ever 

 find it necessary to use stakes, unless the roots are 

 started too early. 



To the genuine Dahlia enthusiast of the old school, 

 the perfect modelling of the true show or fancy type 

 of bloom ever appeals as the highest form of the 

 Dahlia, as indeed it is. But of late the tendency in 

 floral taste has leaned toward the more unconventional 

 and aesthetic types of the Cactus and the decorative 

 blooms. Indeed, Americans look with most kindly 

 eye upon the latter group ; and it is to a few good 

 introductions in this group American raised varieties 

 especially Wm. Aguew and Clifford W. Bruton, that 

 modern interest in the flower as a commercial possi- 

 bility for cut flowers had its origin. In the Dahlia, 

 as in other flowers, the American taste runs to loose 

 unconventionally, so that the decorative, or, as it is 

 sometimes called, the cactus-hybrid type, is increasingly 

 popular with the masses. 



In the matter of classification there is much to be 

 accomplished yet, the tendency being to include the 



