44 



THE DAHLIA. 



AFTER THE BOXES HAVE BEEN PACKED, 

 THEY ARE CRATED, AS SHOWN HERE- 

 WITH, AND ARE NOW READY 

 FOR THE EXPRESS COMPANY 



ber. Jack Rose, rich crimson-purple, a small 

 decorative, is one of the freest bloomers; in all 

 respects an ideal Dahlia for the wholesale trade. 

 Some roots of this were planted in April, others 

 in Midsummer, and as many as 25 good blooms 

 have been cut from a single plant. The popular 

 sorts are grown in big batches, five that we 

 counted covering an area of -Z^^ acres. These 

 were Jack Rose, Lyndhurst, Yellow Duke Ara- 

 bePa and Red Hussar ; a bronze sport from the 

 latter is also a great favorite, while others are 

 Marjorie Castleton, which has been in bloom 

 since July, and is still very pretty; Delice, one 

 of the best bright pink decoratives ; Pilot, a good 

 amber flower; J. B. Riding, fine golden-russet 

 cactus; Sunshine, an excellent pompon; Effect- 

 ive, a lovely creamy-rose cactus ; Bridal Robe, a 

 white cactus ; Isabelle, a blush and cream colored 

 show; Success, clear bright yellow cactus; Mrs. 

 Douglas Fleming, white cactus, very free 

 bloomer ; Nerissa, a rosy-mauve pompon. These 

 represent some of the more prominent varieties, but indeed all kinds are here included from the 

 monster scarlet Souv. de Gustav Douzon to the gorgeous yellow and scarlet Pjeony-flowered 

 Geisha. The Twentieth Century singles, and the newer collarettes are all found in abundance, 

 but we must leave the discussion of varieties according to groups for another occasion. These 

 notes merely outline the extent and character of the business here conducted." 



Mr. Dick, in his description of a commercial Dahlia farm, naturally stopped with the flowers 

 packed and crated for shipment. It is here, however, that the Dahlia men have shown their 

 progressiveness, for, instead of cutting and shipping indiscriminately on consignment to the 

 wholesale florists, as is done with other flowers, the finer varieties are cut and shipped on 

 orders only. 



This is absolutely necessary for several reasons and explains the wonderful grow/th in the 

 Dahlia cut flower industry. The Dahlia is as exquisitely formed and colored as orchids, bruise 

 as easily and must be handled as carefully. Therefore we say, Mr. Florist, give us your order 

 and we will pack it specially and as carefully as you would pack orchids ; it will reach your city 

 and our representative will deliver it to you at once. No one will even see what you are getting, 

 much less handle or pick over them. We guarantee they will reach you in perfect condition. 

 But commercial Dahlia cut flower growing is not all sunshine. The season generally 

 commences in September and lasts until frost, about six weeks, but we are liable to have two or 

 three weeks of extremely hot weather in September, with an abundance of flowers and little 

 demand. • 



Then we have the other extreme — a failure of the Aster crop and a dry, cool August, with 

 a brisk demand for Dahlias two to three weeks ahead of time. Even irrigation won't help, for it 

 is so cool the flowers open most tantahzingly slow, and, worse, one or two light frosts a week. 

 But it is the intermediate, when conditions run more normal, that evens up. Then we 

 don't envy the amateurs, who can grow and enjoy their Dahlias any time and all the time and 

 do not have to have their flowers just at the right time in proper quantities, regardless of condi- 

 tions of temperature, moisture and supply of other flowers. 



