196 The Amateur's Book of the Dahlia 



slopes of the Philippines, dahlias, escaped from 

 cultivation, are trying to be Acocotli in a new 

 land. In India and Ceylon they have also run 

 wild in the highlands. Wherever white man has 

 settled he has brought his dahlias with him and 

 they have thrived. 



In South Africa, in South America, in NeW 

 Zealand, and Australia they are coming into their 

 own. In China and Japan they grow abund" 

 antly, and the Japanese have commenced to hy- 

 bridize them. What dahlias may be made to do 

 in the hands of these magicians there is no tell- 

 ing. The hardier, more common forms will 

 grow almost anywhere in spite of neglect, but 

 where there is an abundance of fresh air and 

 water, the finest varieties of dahlias may be made 

 to thrive, provided that they receive intelligent 

 care. It is only the fastidious connoisseur who 

 will notice the changes wrought by climate and 

 soil. To the rest of the world dahlias are dahlias 

 and are beautiful — and that is enough. 



There are soils and climates which agree so 

 well with them that with the most ordinary 

 care they far outstrip other localities not so fa- 

 voured. These other people must use food and 

 moisture to compete in the battle for honours 

 — but it can be done nevertheless. 



The Pacific Coast, the garden spot of our land, 



