THE DAHLIA 77 



doubles were produced. The flat ones were first very popular; then 

 the ball-shaped blossoms of the show type were greatly in evidence. 

 Between 1830 and 1860 the interest m DahUas became intense, and 

 great premiums were paid for good varieties. Then in 1870 followed 

 varieties which were flatter, less formal and delicately colored. In 

 1872 a new species, DahUa Jaurezii, was introduced. This is the 

 progenitor of the Cactus Dahlias, a type universaUy admired at 



Even without any flowers the Canna is beautiful 



present because of its graceful form £ind delicate coloring. The Cactus 

 types are combined with' the singles to produce the Peony-flowered 

 forms from which have been eliminated the weak stems, resulting in 

 an exalted form, and good-shaped blooms of matchless colors borne 

 upon wonderfuUy strong plants. The large-flowered siogles £u-e 

 having a great wave of populeirity now, for they are often beautifully 

 colored. In 1899 there was a pretty type produced in FrEince in which 

 there is a row of smaller and much more slender petals, of a different 

 color, surrounding the central disk of an otherwise single flower. This 

 type has been termed the ConMette Dahha. 



The American Dahlia Society's classification of DahHas may be 

 of interest for reference: 



1. Cactus Dahlias 



A. True, Fluted Type: FlowersfuUy double; floral rays ("petals") 

 long, narrow, incurved or twisted, with sharp, divided, or fluted points and 



