54 THE DAHLIA. 



CHAPTER XII 



THE AMERICAN DAHLIA SOCIETY. 



THIS Society, which already has members in several States, even as far west as Colorado, 

 was organized at Hotel Hanover, Philadelphia, on March 20, 1895. Unlike most socie- 

 ties, it was organized at the earnest solicitation of several amateur admirers of the ''grand 

 old flower," who saw the need of such an organization to thoroughly introduce the new types 

 and forms. 



The Dahlia had underwent a complete transformation, and these admirers saw that it was 

 necessary to show the marvelous results of more than a century's constant improvement. But 

 there were other reasons for forming the society. The flower has always been popular with 

 amateurs and gardeners, even if neglected by professional horticulturists, and has been largely 

 grown, especially in the rural districts; but, owing to multiplicity of names and inferiority of 

 varieties, the demand was becoming less each year, and the admirers of the flower, having 

 been deceived so many times by beautiful pictures and glowing descriptions, were willing to 

 buy only where they could see the varieties in bloom. As soon as the specialists realized this 

 fact, they at once joined hands with the amateurs, and the formation of the American Dahlia 

 Society was the gratifying result. 



It is the intention of the society to carefully classify all the existing varieties, and make 

 a meritorious list of all scoring a given number of points. This will greatly increase the 

 popularity of the plant, by restoring perfect confidence in the varieties offered for sale. 



The society was organized solely in the interest of floriculture in general, and not to make 

 money, as may be seen from the fact that the yearly dues are but one dollar. This subject 

 was carefully considered, and it was decided to make the society a popular one. 



It is also the desire of the National Society, to assist the formation of Local Societies 

 in every floral community, for the purpose of holding local exhibitions during the Summer and 

 Autumn months. True, there are exhibitions in all the large cities during November, but the 

 majority of gardeners and amateurs are unable to compete, as they have no greenhouses or 

 other facilities for growing Roses, Chrysanthemums, Carnations, and other flowers during that 

 season of the year. November is therefore too late for popular shows, and it is onlv in large 

 towns and cities that they can be held with even partial success. 



In speaking of this subject an amateur said : "Of course early shows would not be pop- 

 ular with the florists; but as the florists have exhibitions in November, why should not the 

 people have exhibitions during the Summer and early Autumn, when the garden can compare 

 favorably with the best of greenhouse establishments?" This is all true, except their not being 

 popular with florists. Whatever would increase popular interest in floriculture would always be 

 the most pleasing to florists, and they would be only too willing to exhibit and render every as- 

 sistance possible to the holding of early shows; this is most evident from the fact that they could 

 exhibit their finest plants without danger of chilling, injury from gas, or other dangers, and at a 

 time when popular interest and demand would be greatest. If these early shows were held 

 throughout the country they would increase the interest in floriculture and, perhaps, the Chrys- 

 anthemum exhibitions would be more liberally patronized than during the past few years. 



The organizers of the "American Dahlia Society" were aware of the lack of popular in- 

 terest in the late shows, and believed it was, partly, because the amateur could not grow and 

 exhibit flowers at that season, and partly because the exhibits were so stiff, formal and monot- 

 onous. Therefore they do not advocate an exhibition of Dahlias only; but, as the family is 



