146 



On Dahlias. 



as some of those which are more perfect or full; several 

 of the prettiest flowers in the dwarf varieties are neither 

 globular nor double, but are flat, with the florets decreasing 

 in size towards the centre. For these desirable kinds of 

 Dahlias, we are principally indebted to William Wells, 

 Esq. His gardener, Mr. Joseph Wells, possessing due 

 knowledge of the qualities he wished his productions to 

 possess, has succeeded in raising sorts, which combine dwarf- 

 ness with early and abundant flowering, and produce blossoms 

 of the most beautiful description ; they begin flowering in 

 June, when not above a foot high, and continue to blossom 

 in constant succession till the autumn frosts divest them of 

 their beauty. They seldom exceed three feet in height, and 

 some are even more dwarf. 



In point of colour, the Dahlia is remarkably variable, 

 Varieties being obtained from seed of a colour quite remote 

 from that of the parent plant. Almost all the varieties lose 

 the brightness exhibited in their early blossoms ; some more 

 rapidly than others ; consequently plants least liable to this 

 defect are particularly desirable. The flowers first produced 

 in a season are always the most brilliant. Many also de- 

 generate with age, being splendid when first raised, and 

 becoming less beautiful in succeeding seasons. The ten- 

 dency of the change in both these cases, is from bright to 

 duller shades of colours, and towards purple, their original 

 colour. 



Until lately, no variety was known that did not possess a 

 tinge of purple in its blossoms, and it was even doubted* 

 whether a blossom entirely untinged with purple could be 

 produced. The new scarlets are however perfectly pure. It 



* Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, Vol. iii. p. 230. 



