XX INTRODUCTION 



large-flowering type! It was in a florist's win- 

 dow in the Bellevue-Stratford, in Philadelphia, 

 and the dahlia was Geisha. It is years since 

 that day, but the sense of stupefaction (yes, just 

 that) is still fresh with me; a sense that soon 

 gave way to wonder and then to joy that such a 

 thing could be in flowers. Since that time we 

 have almost ceased to marvel, so many glorious 

 creations have come beneath the eye. But the 

 miracle of hybridization is still ours to work as 

 shown by the writer of these pages; the path is 

 only explored for a little. On that path this 

 book should prove a torch to light the way — 

 a gleam which it is hoped many will follow. 

 Dahlia culture in America will then surpass even 

 its present fine status and create for us a special 

 place in the world of horticulture through this 

 race of magnificent flowers. 



Louisa Yeomans King. 

 Alma, Michigan, 

 June, 1921. 



