THE DAHLIA. 55 



so large and the range of colors, forms and habits so extensive, Dahlias are urged as a nucleus 

 around which can be gathered all the other gems of the garden, conservatory and greenhouse. 

 In exhibitions of this kind there is always something new at every step, and no two shows are 

 ahke; this with the mterest displayed by the amateur and gardener, who can compete for every 

 prize on equal terms with the large grower, imparts the greatest popular interest, appreciation 

 and enthusiasm. 



One of the chief attractions at these early shows, is the lack of that monotony so common 

 at floral exhibitions held at a later date ; vases, hanging baskets, festoons of wild flowers and 

 vines, intermingle with the various exhibits in an ever-changing, yet pleasing, manner; while, 

 here and there, groups of large decorative plants break the outline, and the visitors behold a 

 charmingly distinct view at every turn. 



The new society realized the necessity of holding these early and popular shows, and next 

 September (1896) propose to give such a comprehensive show as was never seen before. Skilled 

 decorators will have charge of the exhibition hall, and everything will be gracefully and artis- 

 tically arranged to give the most pleasing effect. Many new departures will be made in the 

 manner of exhibiting, while the prize list will be so arranged as to give amateurs an equal 

 chance with florists and growers, also with the view of giving a beautiful, novel, and entirely 

 distinct exhibition. 



The society is national in its scope, and is receiving the earnest support of both amateurs 

 and professionals. The executive committee represents three States— Pennsylvania, New York 

 and New Jersey — while the membership extends as far east as Massachusetts, as far west as 

 Colorado, and south as far as Texas. The society is also a popular one, and not devoted to 

 any one class, but to the interest of every class ; and the only qualification needed is an interest 

 in floriculture; every amateur, gardener, seedsman, nurseryman and florist are cordially in- 

 vited to membership. 



Every floral community should be represented in the society, as one of its chief objects 

 is to assist and further, in every way possible, the holding of floral exhibitions throughout the 

 country. That every one interested in flowers might become members, the annual member- 

 ship fee was placed at one dollar, which can be sent to the secretary, who will, also, cheerfully 

 give any further information relating to the society or its exhibitions. 



A society organized on such broad principles as the American Dahlia Society is worthy 

 of the liberal support of every admirer of beautiful flowers. It has risen above any one flower 

 by advocating an exhibition of all, and only adopted its name because the Dahlia, being the 

 only flower qualified in every way to fill the space between Roses and Chrysanthemums, is the 

 best as a nucleus for popular Summer and Autumn shows, where millionaire, workingman and 

 florist can compete for the same prizes, with equal chances of success; where greenhouses are 

 unnecessary, and victory follows in the footsteps of the skillful. 



The writer regrets that since writing the first edition of this treatise The American Dahlia 

 Society has undergone many vicissitudes. The first few years, under its able management, it 

 was very successful and several exhibitions were held and the cause of the Dahlia greatly bene- 

 fited, but owing to a lack of unity of purpose and a failure to get the various growers and 

 dealers to work in harmony with the original ideas of making the society strictly a Dahlia 

 Society in the interests of the Dahlia, and especially the amateur growers, it has been allowed 

 to sleep peacefully and nothing has been done the past few years. The work done by the so- 

 ciety is already bearing good fruit in the smaller towns as well as in the large cities. It is 

 certainly to be hoped that as the general interest in Dahlias increases that this society may be 

 reorganized on its original lines and the introduction of the many marvelous new varieties and 

 new types of Dahlias may make Dahlia exhibitions even more interesting and instructive than 

 ever. The Dahlia is now becoming a factor in the cut-flower market and thousands are sold 

 daily in each of the large cities, in many cases for prices higher than Roses. Each year the 

 exhibitions are improving and the demand is becoming so persistent for Dahlia shows that even 

 Horticultural Societies and Florists' Clubs are having regular Dahlia shows each year. 



