172 
of numerous, closely aggregated flowers or florets, the corollas of 
which are often developed in two or more ways. In the so- 
called single dahlias, a few outer flowers of am cluster have 
cor s the 
u . 
we shal iL continue to use the word “flower” 
meaning what botanists would call a ‘‘head”’ or ‘‘flower-cluster. 
Growers and exhibitors of dahlias recognize aes different 
classes or groups, based on the form and other characters of the 
flower or head. The extremes of form are very aaron and 
it is usually ae to say ne what oa a owe is to be placed, 
but here. where nature 
has been interfered with by man, the lines of separation are not 
may be fou ‘wo and sometimes three different headings 
in ae o en dealers. As defined by the America: 
Dahlia Society, seven principal classes of dahlias are recognized, 
but two of them are sta anes and the iene are given 
age rank with the ma ivision in most o catalogues, so 
may as well ote ee rae are ten ce Single, the 
ces. 
1. In the class known as the Single dahlias, we have o 
centered flowers, with 8 to 12, usually 8 rays in a single ae or 
series. Examples, Twentieth Century and Newport Wonder. 
n the Collaretie class, we have flowers of the mele type, 
with not more than 9 large floral rays, but with a 
narrower, often differently colored rays, standing in front of o' 
them and the open center. Examples, Madame Poirier and 
San Mateo Star 
