The Future of the Dahlia \ 1 9 



Jaurezi made its appearance in this country. From 

 that moment the future of the Dahlia was assured. The 

 graceful Singles took the public taste immediately, for 

 here was found a plant that produced beautiful flowers 

 in profusion with a modicum of trouble. Juarezi, the 

 precursor of all our Cactus varieties, was looked at a 

 little askance at first ; but, as seedlings from it began 

 to appear, showing improved form and fresh colours, 

 they were taken up by an interested public, and, at 

 the present moment, the interest in Cactus Dahlias is 

 very great, and is so rapidly on the increase that it is 

 quite safe to predict a great future for them. Much 

 remains to be done in the way of improving their 

 habit. Long stiff footstalks are wanted to all the 

 flowers. Every one must be discarded which does not 

 hold its head erect on a stiff, wiry stem, at least 12 

 inches long. May I suggest that larger flowers than 

 we at present have are not wanted, smaller ones 

 would be an advantage sometimes. Then they will 

 be more useful for cutting, and the plants will form 

 much more effective objects through the flowers being 

 raised well above the foliage. These improvements 

 will only be the work of a very few years, and what 

 are the raisers of Cactus Dahlias then to aim at ? 

 New colours and new combinations of colours will ever 

 afford an illimitable field. The round-flowered Single 

 Dahlia and the Single Cactus forms will continue to 

 be grown wherever truly graceful flowers for cutting 

 are wanted, but their cultivation will not be nearly so 

 general as the other types. The Pompon varieties, 

 which are great favourites for garden decoration and 

 cut flowers, will continue to be popular for two 

 reasons : their perfection of form and daintiness of 



