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DREER'S SELECT DAHLIAS. 



ONE OF OUR LEADING SPECIALTIES. 



At our new Riverview Farm the past season we grew over 40 acres of Dahlias in over 500 varieties, which included not onlT 

 large blocks of the best standard sorts of all types, but everything worth while in the newer sorts of both home and foreigi 

 introduction. 



The space at our command in this catalogue permits us to offer only the more important new and standard sorts, varieties whiclr 

 in our experience combine in the highest degree all of the merits which first-class kinds should have. For those who are particn 

 larly interested in the Dahlia we have prepared a special Dahlia catalogue, which contains a complete list of all the varieties w. 

 have to ofter. We will be pleased to send a copy of this catalogue on application. 



A FE^V CUI.TURAI. 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 during the greater 



part of the day. 



As to soil, they are not at all particular, excepting that 



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



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



which will make the soil loose and friable. The 



soil must be deeply dug, if possible to a depth 



of two spades, and a liberal amount of suitable 



plant food incorporated. For this nothing is 



more satisfactory than well-decayed stable ma- 

 nure; but where this cannot be conveniently 



procured pure bonemeal, sheep manure, or any 



chemical fertilizer rich in ammonia and phos- 

 phoric acid will answer as a substitule. 



The planting of dormant roots in the latitude ^7 

 of Philadelphia may be done at any time be- 

 tween April 25th and June 15th, the earlier 

 planting being preferable. Green or growing 

 plants must not be set out until all danger of 

 frost is over, say May 10th or 15th. Do not 

 crowd your plants, but plant at a distance of 

 not less than 2.} 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. 



Excepting where noted, we supply all Dahlias in dor- 

 mant roots, but as the season advances and our supply of 

 certain varieties becomes exhausted in this shape, green, 

 growing plants are supplied instead. These will give 

 equally as good results as dormant roots (many experienced planters will only plant green plants), and by the time they are c«n 

 by frost they will have produced strong roots, which can be carried over winter in the usual way. 



NEW GERMAN GIANT CACTUS DAHI.IAS. 



In our fields during the past summer these varieties attracted great attention. Not only are the flowers of very large size, mo* 

 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 fre« 

 Oowering. 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 

 a glowing golden color, which gives it an 



New German Giant Cactus Dahlia Riiunkonig. 



suffused with 

 iridescence which it is not possible to describe. 

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

 inches and over in diameter. These are of great sub.stance, 

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

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



Vater Rhein. Flowers frequently? inches m diameter, raised 

 well above the foliage on stout stems; the petals are broad, 

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

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

 tractive and imposing flower. 



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

 inches in diameter; a graceful arrangement of semi-incaryed 

 tubular petals of a pleasing, delicate salmon-rose color, shadii»| 

 to old-gold in the centre. 



Wolfgang von Goethe. Large, gracefully-arranged, perfee* 

 flowers of a rich apricot, with carmine shadings. 



garden decoration as for cutting. 



30 cts. each; $3.00 per doz.; $20.00 per 100. The set of 5 varieties for $1.25. 



SPECIAL DAHUA CATALOGUE. Imting over 500 varieties. Copy sent ea appUcation. 



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