THE DAHLIA, OR GEORGINA, 273 
Among the most highly prized in England at the present 
day may only be mentioned, Dodd’s Mary, Duchess of 
Richmond, Essex Rival, Widhall’s Conductor, Suffolk 
Hero, Ruby, Sussex Rival, Marquis of Lothian, Cox’s 
Yellow, Grace Darling, Climax, Sir John Franklin, Sir F. 
Bathurst, Magnificent, Yellow Perfection, Snow-flake, 
Elizabeth, &e., &e. 
New varieties are, of course, procured from seed; the 
utmost attention being paid to the parentage and the 
crossing of flowers of different colors. If sown in flower- 
pots, and aided by a little heat, the seedlings, speedily 
planted out, will flower the first season. Established vari- 
cties are propagated by dividing the large tuberous roots; 
‘but, in doing so, care must be taken to have an eye to 
each portion of tuber, otherwise it will not grow. Some- 
times shoots of rare varieties are grafted on the roots of 
others. A good method, now generally practised, is to 
take cuttings close from the roots of the plants, as soon as 
they shoot up in the beginning of summer, and to strike 
them in small flower-pots. They strike freely, and tho 
plants generally show flower during the same season. 
Dahlias succeed best in an open situation, and in rich 
loam; but there is scarcely any garden soil in which they 
will not thrive, if well manured. They are, however, in- 
jured by being repeatedly planted on the same spot. 
They may stand singly like common border flowers, but 
have the most imposing appearance when seen in masses 
arranged according to their stature., Old roots often 
throw up a multitude of stems, which render thinning 
necessary. As the plants increase in height, they should 
be furnished with strong stakes, by being tied to which 
they may withstand high winds. Dahlias generally con- 
tinue to show their flowers till they be interrupted by frost 
12* 
