120 
FANCY DAHLIA 
FRANK SMITH. 
(Shown on colored plate opposite.) 
It will, no doubt, surprise many lovers of Dahlias when 
we tell them that this beautiful variety, which we illus- 
trate in colors on the plate opposite, is not new, or even 
of recent introduction, it having been offered in our own 
catalogue in 1868, and while we are uncertain as to the 
exact year of its introduction, it is safe to assume that it 
was over half a century ago. 
It was raised right here in Philadelphia, by Mr. Gerhard 
Schmitz, who seems to have been the Burbank of his time. 
An article which appeared in the “ Philadelphia Florist” 
in 1852—fifty-five years ago—says of him: 
“Old Gerard is a great one to raise seedlings of Pears, 
Peaches, Strawberries, Dahlias, etc.,etc. * * * He 
now occupies the Passyunk Nursery. This is the mart for 
Dahlias in all varieties. His seedlings are justly cele- 
brated, and can compete with those of any other cultivator, 
and struck us during the past season as worthy of note 
amongst the immense variety of this much-cultivated 
flower, .which seem now to command reawakened 
interest.” 
The fact that since then thousands of Dahlias of all 
types have been introduced, simply to disappear, should 
be convincing proof that a variety which has stood the 
test of over half a century must have exceptional merit, 
and we feel safe in saying that Frank Smith is still the 
most beautiful fancy Dahlia yet introduced. Our color 
plate, unfortunately, does not begin to do it justice. Its 
color is a most intense purplish-maroon, shading almost 
to black, each petal tipped with white, with brilliant carmine- 
red shadings; and while occasionally some of the flowers do 
not show the variegation, it is then one of the finest self-colored 
varieties. In habit of growth it is vigorous, one of the earliest 
to come into flower, and a continuous and profuse bloomer, 
Strong roots, 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz.; $18 00 per 100. 
SIX SUPERB DOUBLE- 
QUILLED DAHLIAS. 
A. D. Livoni, Beautiful clear pink, of perfect form and 
very free, 
Bon Ton. Rich garnet, beautifully-formed flowers, 
Elegans. Tyrian rose, tipped white. 
Grand Duke Alexis. Large, massive flowers, ivory-white, 
with a faint tinge of rose at the extremities of the petals, 
Queen Victoria. Handsome, bright yellow, finely quilled. 
Ruth. Pure white, with faint tinge of blush on edges. 
20 cts. each; $2.00 per doz.; $15.00 per 100; set of 6, $1.00. 
TYE ever a DRE DRTTADELDRTA 
F<) GARDEN GREENHOUSE PLANTS | 
Dovuste-QuiLtep Dauuia, A. D. Livont. 
TWELVE CHOICE FANCY 
DAHLIAS. 
Admiral Schley. Rich crimson, with garnet edges and a 
broad band of white through the centre of each petal. 
Chameleon. Flesh-colored centre, shading to crushed straw- 
berry, with yellowish blending; a variable flower, of good 
form. 
Eloise. White, tinted flesh, each petal edged with deep, 
purplish-garnet. 
Fern-leaved Beauty. White, each petal edged with dark 
carmine-red. 
Lucy Fawcett. Sulphur-yellow, striped and spotted carmine- 
rose, 
Lottie Eckford. White, striped and spotted with French 
purple. 
Mrs. Stancombe. Straw-yellow, suffuse¢ amber, striped red 
and mottled and tipped blush. 
Olympia. Bright rose-pink, striped, spotted and penciled with rich 
crimson. 
Penelope. White, flaked and tinted mauve. 
Progress. Soft rosy-lake, beautifully spotted and penciled with 
glowing crimson; entirely distinct. 
Striped Banner. Cardinal-red, striped white. 
Thos. Westcott. Fiery-red, tipped white; very profuse. 
20 cts. each; $2.00 per doz.; $15.00 per 100. Set of 12 for $2.00. 
TWELVE BEST LARGE FLOWER- 
ING SHOW DAHLIAS. 
Arabella. Light-sulphur yellow, shaded peach-blossom on edges ; 
a fine flower. 
Duchess of Cambridge. Base of petals white suffused pink, 
heavily-tipped dark crimson. 
Emily. Solferino, with white markings; very large. 
Hero. Analine-red; finely shaped. 
J.T. West. Yellow, prettily tipped French purple. 
John Elitch. Rich deep crimson. 
Mary D. Hallock. Chrome-yellow; fine and free. 
Miss May Loomis. White, suffused with soft rose ; very pretty. 
Mme. Alfred Moreau. Pure mauve pink; a most perfect and 
very large flower. 
Red Hussar. Pure cardinal-red; perfect form. 
Ruby Queen. Brilliant deep purple. 
White Swan. A fine, clear white. 
20 cts. each; $2.00 per doz.; $15.0) per 100. Set of 12 for $2.00. 
SHow DaHLIA ARABELLA. 
