DREER'S SELECT DAHLIAS. 



ONE OF OUR LEADING SPECIALTIES. 



At our new Riverview Farm during the season of 1912 we grew nearly 50 acres of Dahlias in over 500 varieties, which included 

 not only large blocks of the best standard sorts of all types, but everything worth while in the newer sorts of both home and foreign 

 introduction. 



The space at our command in this catalogue permits us to offer only the more important varieties which in our experience com- 

 bine in the highest degree all of the merits which first-class kinds should have. For those who are par icularly interesiej 

 !n the Dahlia we have prepared a special Dahlia Catalogue, which contains a complete list of all the varieties, 

 we have to offer. We will be pleased to se:id a copy of this catalogue on application. 



A FEW CULTURAL NOTES. 



One of the most important points in the cultivation 

 of the Dahlia is to select a well-drained position where 

 they will receive the full benefit of the sun.' 



They are not particular as to soil, excepting that 



in the case of a stiff clay some loose material should be 



added, such as coarse sand, old mortar, or anything 



which will make ins s >il loose and friable. The soil 



must b • deeply dug, and a liberal amount 



of suitable plant food incorporated, pref- 



yi eiablv well-decayed slable n anure; but 



where this cannot b( procured pure bone- 



meal, sh sep manure, or any chemical 



^i — • fertilizer rich in ammonia and phosphoric 



acid will answer. 



The planting of dormant roots in the 

 latitude of Philadelphia may be done at 

 any time between the end of April and the 

 middle of June. Green or growing plants 

 nui-t not be set out until all danger of frost 

 is over, say May ]0th or 15th. Do not 

 crowd your plants, but plant at a distance 

 ol not less than 21 or 3 feet, and, as soon 

 as the shoots appear, remove all but two or 

 three of the strongest, and these, when 

 about a foot high, should be secured to 

 stout stakes. 



Field-grown Roots. With the exception of the 



six varieties oflered on the opposite page, which 



will be supplied in green or growing plants, we 



elieve we have sufficient stock of field-grown roots 



of all the other varieties offered in this catalogue to 



meet all demands; but should our supply of roots 



of some sorts become exhausted we will in such 



cases send green or growing plants which will 



equally as good results as dormant roots (many experienced planters prefer them), 



by the time they are cut by frost they will have produced strong roots, which can be 



ed over winter in the usual way. 



Giant Cactus Dahlia, Wodan 



give 

 and 



GERMAN GIANT CACTUS DAHLIAS. 



This splendid type arrests the attention of nearly every visitor. Not only are the flowers of very large size, most of them distinct 

 and unique in form, but the habit of the plants is also very vigorous, growing with us about 5 feet high and free-flowering. All 

 will be found desirable additions to any collection. 



Nerthus. The centre of the flower is a rich, glowing, bronzy, 

 orange-yellow, passing to a carmine-rose at the tips, the whole 

 suffused with a glowing golden color, which gives it an 

 iridescence which it is not possible to describe. 



Rheingau. A large, bold and most effective brilliant scarlet 

 variety, raised well above the foliage on strong, stiff stein-; 

 splendid for cutting and for garden decoration. While it fre- 

 quently shows an open centre, this rather adds to its attract- 

 iveness, and in this form it might correctly be classed as a 

 hybrid Paeony-flowered type. 



Rheinkonig. Pure snow-white flowers of splendid form, 5 

 inches and over in diameter. These are of great substance, 

 lasting splendidly when cut; they are borne on long, stiff 

 stems held well above the foliage, making it as valuable for 

 garden decoration as for cutting. 



Vater Rhein. Flowers frequently 7 inches in diameter, 

 raised well above the foliage on stout stems; the petals are 

 broad, curled and twisted, forming an ideal flower, the color 

 of which is yellow, suffused with salmon-rose; a beautiful, at- 

 tractive and imposing flower. 50 cts. each. 



Wodan. Bold, large, but not coarse flower, frequently 7 

 inches in diameter; a graceful arrangement of semi-incurved 

 tubular petals ofa pleasing, delicate salmon-rose color, shading 

 to old-gold in the centre (See cut. ) 



Wolfgang VOn Qoethe. Large, gractfully-arranged, perfect 

 flowers of a rich apricot, with carmine shadings. 50 cts. 

 each. 



Price. Except where noted, 30 cts. each; $3.00 per doz.; $20.00 per 100. The set of 6 varieties for $2.00. 



SPECIAL DAHLIA CATALOGUE, listing about 500 varieties. Copy tent on application. 



