REPRODUCED FROM A PHOTO OF ONE OF THE BorperRS OF Our DAHLIAS AT THE ALASKA-YuKON-PaciFic ExposITION, SEATTLE, 19¢9. 
Another season among the Dahlias shows an increased interest in this most important of 
all the late summer and fall flowers which the most sanguine Dahlia enthusiast did not dare to 
dream of even a few years since. 
Every season a long list of new varieties is introduced by the many American and European 
specialists, all of which, as far as possible, we try out in our own grounds before offering them in 
our catalogue, and the past season has been no exception. Our trial grounds during the past sum- 
mer contained 830 varieties, and from this we selected the 461 varieties which are offered in this 
catalogue; this means that 369 were discarded, or, in other words, that 44 per cent. did not come 
up to the high standard which we require before listing same; all varieties, old or new, must excel 
not only in color, form and size, but also in free-flowering habit, in which every year sees a decided 
and steady advance. 
We believe that to give an adequate idea of the popularity of the Dahlia, as well as the extent to 
which we cultivate same, we can do no better than to give the comments of the leading Philadel- 
phia newspapers in which the Dreer Flower Show is described (see next page), and which was open 
to our friends and patrons from October 4th to October 11th, and to which we would merely add 
that our fields during these eight days were visited by more than 10,000 people, every one of whom 
went away well pleased with what was shown. 
It is our intention to repeat this exhibition the coming season, probably from October 3d to 
October toth, and a cordial invitation is extended to every one to pay usa visit. Full particulars as 
to train service, automobile routes, etc., will be furnished on application after September Ist. 
We will guarantee that there will be no disappointment unless there is an unusually early frost, 
which in this latitude is unlooked for before the 15th of October. The past season we were not 
damaged by frost until October 27th, and in 1912 not until the morning of November 3d. 
All of the Dahlias offered in this catalogue are supplied in strong, dormant field-grown roots, excepting some of the newer 
kinds, which we can only furnish in plant form and which are noted in the catalogue. These plants are ready to send out between 
the middle of April and the first of May. As the season advances our supply of roots of some of the older varieties becomes ex- 
hausted, in which case green growing plants are sent instead. These will give equally as good results as dormant roots, flowering 
just as freely, and many experienced planters prefer them, and by the time they are cut by frost in the autumn they will have pro- 
duced strong roots, which can be carried over winter in the usual way. 
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 during the greater part of the day. 
As to soil, they are not at all particular, 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 the soil loose and friable. The soil must be deeply dug, not less than 18 to 
24 inches, and a liberal amount of suitable plant food incorporated. For this nothing is more satisfactory than well-decayed stable 
manure; but where this cannot be conveniently procured, pure bonemeal, sheep manure or any chemical 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 April 25th and June 15th. 
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. 
To produce flowers freely, the plants must never be allowed to become checked or stunted in growth; such conditions frequently 
occur during excessive hot and dry weather. During such periods the plants should be thoroughly watered and the roots protected 
from the heat by mulching the ground with long strawy manure or any loose material which will keep the soil cool. 
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