72 



BEiCKERT SEED AND BULB COMPANY 



Praiseworthy Exhibition DahUas 



Decorative Dahlia. 



The present greai popularity of Dahlias is 

 well deserved. They have a beauty and 

 variety of fomi and color unequaled by any 

 other flower and are adaptable to practically 

 all garden schemes from a single plant In a 

 small garden to veritable hedges in the more 

 expansive gardens. EJven beginners have 

 wonderful results, while the more experi- 

 enced gardeners are amply repaid by the 

 additional size and beauty of blooms result- 

 ing from their expert care and attention. 

 Dahlias are easy to grow in almost any boII. 

 the two main requirements being plenty of 

 sunlight and water. 



F&EFAAZNG TSE OBOUIIX). Dahlias 



delight in a light, friable, loamy soil, en- 

 riched with well-rotted stable manure. 

 Spade the ground full depth of the top soil 

 and be sure that manure is thoroughly 

 mixed with soil. 



TJtAJSmJSQ. Tubers may be started in- 

 doors in boxes in April for later transplant- 

 ing or planted outdoors from about the 

 middle of May to the end of June. Lay tne 

 tubers flat, about 6 inches deep and 2 to 3 

 feet apart in the row. 



OSOWZITG. Do not permit more than two 

 or three shoots to grow from a root, and 

 when shoots are 2 feet high, pinch out the 

 centers to promote branching growth. 



FOB EXHIBITION'. Permit only a single 

 stem to grow from a root and cut ofC about 

 half the lateral branches. Treated in this 

 manner the plant will not only give larger 

 flowers but they will all have full centers. 



CUBING AND STOBING. When the foli- 

 age has been killed by Fall frosts, dig the 

 roots, shalte off as much soil as possible, 

 and cut off all but 2 to 3 inches of the stems. 

 Store the roots in a cool, dry place, stems 

 down. It is not necessary to cover them 

 with soil or ashes. We offer only standard 

 divisions of dormant tubers. 



FBOX SEED. Dahlias are as easy to raise 

 from seed as cabbage or tomatoes, and many 

 interesting and profitable varieties may be 

 produced. We offer seed of the choicest 



varieties on page 48. 



Loolc over the following list of what we 

 consider twelve of the finest Dahlias in ex- 

 istence. Prom Ambassador to U. S. A. they 

 represent the utmost in Dahlia perfection, 

 not only in size of bloom but in coloring, 

 robust growth, and strength of stem. All 

 tubers have been carefully cut from field- 

 grown clumps that have not been forced. 



Ambassador (Hybrid Cactus). A superb 

 new "variety of largest size and finely 

 formed. Color yellow buff shaded with 

 delicate salmon pink. $1.50 each. 



Amun Ba (The Sun God). (Decorative), 

 immense blooms, exquisitely formed. 

 Flowers are borne well above the deep 

 green foliage on long, sturdy stems. A 

 delightful blending from copper-orange on 

 the outer petals to rich, reddish bronze 

 at the center. $1.00 each. 



Bashful Giant (Decorative). Fine exhibi- 

 tion \arieLy, large blooms on very scroiig 

 stems. Flowers are finest lorm, apricot 

 and gold. $1.00 eacii. 



Gladys Slier wood (Hybrid Cactus). We 

 consider tins the finest wnlte Dahlia. 

 Flowers are of largest size, pure white, 

 borne on long stems and keep for a long 

 time in water. $1.00 each. 



Jersey Beauty (Decorative). The finest pink 

 Decorative Dahlia ever introduced. Color 

 is a rich clear glowing pinii. Flowers are 

 of large size and held erect on long, strong 

 stems. $2.00 each. 



Mariposa (Hybrid Cactus). Distinctive new 

 variety, pink toned and shaded violet. 

 $1.50 each. 



Margaret Masson (Decorative). Lavender- 

 pink. Flowers are large and full; bene 

 on rigid stems. $2.50 each. 



Mepliistoplieleft (Decorativej. One of the 

 largest and strongest growing Dahlias in 

 existence. Color is a rich glowing scar- 

 let. $1.00 each. 



Mother (Hybrid Cactus). One of the finest 

 pure wiiite Dahlias we have seen. Plants 

 are very strong and free blooming. $2,50 

 each. 



Mxs. I. De Ver Wamex (Decorative). Clear 

 orcliid or mauve-pink, and one of the most 

 satisfactory of the large Decorative Dal^- 

 lias to grow either for exhibition or foi 

 cut flowers. $1.00 each. 



Siskiyou (Hybrid Cactus). One of the very 

 largest Dahlias, flowers 12 inches across 

 have been grown. Combination of pink 

 and mauve. $2,50 each. 



U. S. A. (Decorative). Magnificent blooms 

 borne on long stems above the foliage. 

 The large flowers are a striking blending 

 of orange and gold. $1.00 each. 



Special Collection OflFer 



t^Six Praiseworthy Dahlias $5.00 



At regular prices this fine assortment 

 of Six Exhibition Dahlias amounts to 

 $6.00. As a collection, one strong tuber 

 of each variety is offered at a special 

 price of $5.00, postpaid. 



Full descriptions will be found above. 

 Amun Ba Mephistophles 

 BashfitL Giant Mrs. I. de Ver 



Gladys Sherwood Warner 

 U. S. A. 



