FOREWORD. 



It is now five years since we inaugurated the policy 

 of selling only Field Grown Roots of Dahlias and the 

 results have more than upheld our judgment. While 

 we realize that it takes several years to work up a big 

 stock and that consequently some delay is necessary 

 in distributing the new sorts, yet the final result justi- 

 fies it. Growing plants of Dahlias do not travel well, 

 and besides the roots are more likely to give a larger 

 and finer crop of flowers. 



The varieties we offer are the result of careful selec- 

 tion from the hundreds of sorts now on the market. 

 We illustrate and specially describe the most notable, 

 but there is not an indifferent variety in our list. We 

 invite special attention to the " Paeony-f lowered " 

 section on page 155. Their informal grace will please 

 connoisseurs. 



Below we print one of the many complimentary letters received this 



Messrs. Peter Henderson & Co., New York. 



Gentlemen: The Dahlias you sent me last spring tv.rnsd out splendidly. 1 won one first, two 

 second and third prizes at the New England Dahlia Society Exhibition at Tremont Temple in Boston. 

 They were a fine lot of Dahlias and 1 tlvxnh you for such a nice lot. 



ALVIN A. BASSETT, 



September 29, 190S. 27 Prospect St., Marblehead, Mass. 



Ne<zu Giant Crimson Red Dahlia. 



SOUVENIR de GUSTAVE DOUZON. 



A truly wonderful variety, a giant in size, some 

 flowers reaching ten inches across. The color is an 

 intense shade of orange-red with rich crimson 

 shadings. It is a broad-petaled " Decorative " and 

 of splendid form. The profusion of bloom is re- 

 markable for such a large variety. It has created 

 a sensation in the Dahlia world. {See cut.) Price, 

 50c. each, $4.50 per doz. (Field grown roots.) 



New Crimson Cactus Dahlia 



ALEXANDER. 



A wonderfully rich and intense crimson-maroon . 

 A most profuse bloomer, fine for cut flowers, with 

 long stems. A true " Cactus " of beautiful form, 

 has a splendid habit. Price, 35c. each, $3.50 per 

 doz. (Field grown roots.) 



Giant Decorative Dahlia 



MRS. ROOSEVELT. 



This new Dahlia is acknowledged to be far supe- 

 rior to the celebrated Dahlia Grand Duke Alexis. 

 (See Quilled Dahlias, page 157.) It is of larger size, 

 better color, more graceful in form, has better 

 stems for cutting, will bloom better, and last, but 

 not least, will keep longer when cut. The flowers 

 are perfectly double, of largest size, 6 to 8 inches, 

 while the color is a delicate pink, shading to soft, 

 clear pink. (See cut.) Price, field -grown roots, 

 30c. each, $3.00 per doz. 



