THE DAHLIA. 2>7 



CHAPTER VII 



NEW VARIETIES. 



THE popularity of a plant is always increased by the production of new varieties. Whether 

 this is, altogether, because we tire of existing kinds, or because the production of distinct 

 forms and types disproves the old adage of there being "nothing new under the sun," our 

 readers must decide for themselves. The scientist would demonstrate that nothing new had 

 been created — that it was only new combinations of what existed before; but in this very demon- 

 stration, however, he would admit that which he was trying to disprove; it is these new and 

 marvelously beautiful combinations that excite the admiration of the flower-loving world. No 

 other flower has been so improved by the production of new varieties as the Dahlia, and, strange 

 to say, without impairing its vigor or growth. 



Although many new varieties are produced by sports from existing kinds, the most im- 

 portant method, and only one by which real progress is made, is by planting selected seeds. 

 To secure the best results, seed should be saved from dwarf, very double varieties only, as they 

 not only bloom earlier but give a greater percentage of good flowers. Crossing varieties also 

 offers great possibilities in the production of superior sorts, and many specialists secure the 

 exact kinds they wish by the judicious selection of parent plants. 



Artificial crossing of varieties is very easily accomplished if the proper care is taken, 

 although growers have, in the past, been content to depend chiefly on bees and other insects 

 for all crossing, and simply gathered seed from the finest flowers. All that is necessary is to 

 select the varieties it is desired to cross, and apply the pollen of one to 'the pistil of the other 

 with a fine camel's-hair brush. It will take several operations on each flower-head, as each 

 head is composed of numerous individual flowers which open slowly, commencing at the base 

 of the rays or petals. Care must be taken to remove the pollen from each flower of the head, 

 before it can impregnate the pistil with its own pollen, also to cover the flowers operated on 

 with wire screens, to keep off bees and other insects. 



The seed can be sown thinly in the greenhouse, in a box in the house, or in a mild hot-bed 

 early in April, and transplanted into the open ground as soon as danger of frost is over. They 

 require the same treatment as other Dahlias, except that they must be watered until thoroughly 

 established, and will bloom freely the first season. 



Of course where only a few seedlings are grown they can be potted as we do our rare 

 seedlings; but, in a case of two hundred and fifty thousand, the expense would be prohibitive 

 and we transplant direct from seed row. 



Growing new varieties from seed is most fascinating to amateurs, owing to the uncertainty 

 and expectancy ; for besides the possibility of raising a finer variety than was ever before pro- 

 duced, they have the pleasure of watching each plant as it first unfolds its hidden secret. 



Sports have the same form and other characteristics of the variety from which they spring, 

 and are simply a reproduction of the old variety in a different color or colors. In some instances 

 they have simply a change in the ground color, as it seen in the "Fawcett" sports, while in 

 others there is a complete change of colors. They are seldom an improvement on the old 

 variety, and are most frequent among the Fancy sections. Some varieties sport permanently, 

 while others sport back and forth and cannot be depended on unless selected very carefully. 

 An example of the latter class can be found in the Fancy Dahlia "Dandy," which is a red 

 pink, striped and heavily penciled, black, and is so apt. to sport that, unless care is exercised, 

 nine-tenths of the flowers will be solid black. There is also a pink sport of this variety, but 



