THE DAHLIA. 



CHAPTER I 



THE DAHLIA. 



THE Dahlia (Dahlia Variabilis of Linnaeus) is' a tender tuberous rooted perennial, a native 

 of Mexico, and was first discovered by Baron Humboldt in 1789. It was sent by him 

 to Prof. Cavenilles, of the Botanical Gardens, Madrid, who named it Dahlia, in honor of 

 the celebrated Swedish botanist. Prof. Andrew Dahl. It was introduced into England in the same 

 year (1789) by the Marchioness of Bute, who secured a plant from Prof. Cavenilles. Although 

 this plant was grown under glass and received the greatest care, the stock was finally lost, and 

 it was reintroduced into England by Lady Holland in 1804. In France, Spain and Germany the 

 Dahlia also received great attention, and to this day is still prized as one of their finest summer 

 and autumn blooming plants. Although other species were found and introduced from Mexico, 

 yet it is remarkable that they should not hybridize and, except D. Coccinea, Cav., were not gener- 

 ally grown. Both D. Variabilis and D. Coccinea broke into numerous colors and became general 

 favorites with the botanists and gardeners, who raised many new varieties from selected seed. 

 A great impetus was given Dahlia culture in 1814, with the introduction of the first double variety. 



To fully realize the wonderful progress made in Dahlias and to get even a faint impression 

 of the possibilities in this most remarkable of all flowers, it is well to remember that only one 

 hundred and two years ago we had nothing but the single type with large yellow centers and one 

 variety with two rows of petals. 



Could Humboldt, Cavenilles or Dahl have dreamed of a development in one century as is 

 shown by the illustrations herein ? And here is the principal charm in Dahlia growing. There is 

 always action, always something new. We cannot remain discouraged, for we know of the 

 future development by the past, and who can tell what the next break will bring forth or how 

 far the development will proceed along the present lines. If you fail to produce a marvel, some 

 other of the hundreds of thousands of growers are sure to, and in a comparatively short time 

 you can grow and enjoy its beauty just as well as if you had produced it. 



Though the Dahlia was found so close to the United States, as is usually the case, it was 

 not introduced directly from Mexico, but was shortly afterward introduced from England in the 

 form of several improved varieties. In America, as in Europe, the Dahlia soon became a great 

 favorite and was universally grown. 



There is one peculiarity that must not be overlooked; during thirty to forty years of 

 constant improvement the one aim was to produce perfectly double, regular, ball-shaped flowers ; 

 the nearer a perfect ball they were the more highly they were prized. This type had by 1840 

 reached almost perfection, and was the only type considered worth growing. At this time, and 

 for many years afterward, the Dahlia was the favorite garden plant with amateurs, gardeners 

 and florists. 



But as the demand seemed to be assured, the seedsman and florists continued to grow 

 mainly the single and show or ball-shaped varieties, and when they had reached what they thought 

 was perfection in those types, ceased to strive after new varieties and forms, but continued to 

 grow and offer the same varieties from year to year. This was followed by a decline in the 

 demand for roots, as some had become tired of the stiff form of the old varieties, and others 

 having a complete collection of what was offered, began to look to other flowers for something 

 new. Under these conditions, which were brought about by the florists themselves, the Dahlia 

 received less and less attention as the years went by. In fact, this neglect went so far that at 

 last it was almost impossible to secure good varieties true to name. To illustrate, I will give 

 a few instances out of the many that has been brought to my attention. In one instance three 



