THE DAHLIA 



champions, and the best thing to do is to try them 

 aU. 



" Show " Dahlias are those with large and 

 very double flowers of a single color, and those 

 in which the ground color is of a lighter shade 

 than the edges or tips of the petals. The outer 

 petals recurve, as the flower develops, until they 

 meet at the stem, thus giving us a ball-like 

 blossom. 



" Fancy " Dahlias are those having striped 

 petals, and those in which the ground color is 

 darker than the edges or tips of the petals. This 

 class, as a rule, is very variable, and a plant will 

 often have flowers showing but one color. Some- 

 times half the flower will be one color, half 

 another. 



The Pompone or Liliputian class is a minia- 

 ture edition of the show and fancy sorts, quite as 

 rich in color and perfect in form as either, but 

 of a dwarf habit of growth. This class is well 

 adapted to bedding out in summer. 



The Cactus Dahlia has long pointed or twisted 

 petals. Most varieties are single, but some are 

 semi-double. This is the class that will be likely 

 to find favor with those who admire the ragged 

 Japanese Chrysanthemums. 



Decorative Dahlias have broad, flat petals, 



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