1882.] 



THE AMERICAN GARDEN. 



135 



handsome flowers. We enjoy a fine double 

 Dahlia as well as any flower, but these single 

 Dahlias are so distinct that they add a new 

 charm to our gardens, and they are also very 

 graceful in form, particularly some of the 

 smaller species. 



Varieties. 



As to these, there is no doubt that the 

 majority have had their origin in D. varia- 

 bilis, one of the first introduced species from 

 Mexico. From it have been derived the 



border flower, as well as being useful for 

 cutting purposes. Other kinds in cultivation 

 are D. Cervantesi, with crimson flowers and 

 similar in growth to coceinea ; J), scapigera, 

 a slender kind, about two feet high, with 

 procumbent stems and white flowers about 

 two inches across. Other very good kinds 

 are D. alba ; Yellow Gem ; Pink Beauty ; 

 Morning Star ; White Queen. 



Culture. 



The easy culture of these plants, and the 



seedlings, which largely reproduce the feat- 

 ures of the parents, are easily raised; of 

 course, named kinds cannot be expected to 

 have any lengthened popularity. Still the 

 raising of any large number of these entails 

 considerable trouble, and as good kinds are 

 easily kept and propagated, they have a 

 better chance of longevity than the named 

 varieties of many other plants. 



Single Dahlias may be grown well in large 

 pots for greenhouse and conservatory deco- 

 ration. It is not at all necessary that they 



innumerable double-flowered kinds. D. 

 glabra fa and D. coceinea are two original 

 species. Liiiea and" Paragon are forms of I), 

 variabilis. The last is a lovely kind, the 

 rich maroon tint of the blossoms being over- 

 laid with a velvety luster. The clear yellow 

 color, too, of hiUa is extremely desirable, 

 and forms a fine contrast to that of the 

 others. D. glabrata, known as D, HerM and 

 D. Deeaisneana, is of spreading growth, 

 attaining about three feet in height and 

 extremely floriferous, thus makiug a pretty 



freedom with which they grow in fresh, rich 

 soil make them all the more valuable. 

 They are useful for a variety of positions in 

 the garden. They, by themselves, make fine 

 masses or groups, and may also be associated 

 with fine-leaved plants, such as Cannas, 

 For the mixed border they are very handy, 

 and the flowers being useful in a cut state, 

 the plants may, in large places, require to be 

 specially grown in nursery beds for that 

 purpose. 



The single Dahlia seeds with freedom, and 



should be largely employed for such purposes 

 during the summer, but from the end of 

 September, when white frosts may be looked 

 for, on to Christmas, they would prove most 

 valuable. Single Dahlias, growing in con- 

 junction with naturally -grown Chrysan- 

 themums, would be indeed pleasing and 

 something to rejoice over. Late struck 

 cuttings, kept restricted in pots through the 

 summer, and shifted into ten-inch pots at 

 i the end of August, should make capital 

 plants for late autumn blooming. 



