DAHLIAS AT WISLEY, 1908. 



291 



DAHLIAS AT WISLEY, 1908. 



Among the first of the floral trials instituted at Wisley was that of 

 Cactus Dahlias for garden decoration. In these trials a floriferous 

 character and showy habit have been regarded as of first importance, 

 and while the form and quality of the flowers have not been lost sight of, 

 these, desirable as they are in themselves, have not been allowed to carry 

 great weight when combined with a poor habit and shy flowering. 

 It has been specially desired to secure varieties holding their flowers 

 well above the foliage instead of buried in it, as with so many of the 

 exhibition varieties, and on strong long stalks bearing the flowers erect, 

 instead of on short stalks with pendent flowers, as in the more showy of 

 the older varieties. (Figs. 39, 40.) 



A considerable stock of plants was transferred from Chiswick in 1904, 

 and new varieties have been added each year, so that altogether 330 distinct 

 varieties have been under the observation of the Committee. 



The following are lists of the varieties that have been selected each 

 year as the best in their respective colours. In 1907 and 1908 the 

 Floral Committee acted in conjunction with a committee of the National 

 Dahlia Society, and the selection of varieties has been more severe : 



Amos Perry. 

 Arab. 



Aunt Chloe. 

 D. A. Dunbar. 

 Dainty. 



F. A. Wellesley. 

 Floradora. 



1905. 



J. H. Jackson. 

 King of Siam. 

 Mary Service. 

 Mavis. 



Mrs. John Barker. 

 Mrs. John Goddard. 

 Mrs. J. S. Brunton. 



Mrs. McKergow. 



Orion. 



Peace. 



Reliable. 



Spotless Queen. 



Standard Bearer. 



Waterloo. 



A. D. Stoop. 

 Crepuscule. 

 Mont Blanc. 



Beacon. 

 Eclair. 



1906. 



Pink Pearl. 

 Prince of Yellows. 



1907. 



Lustre. 

 Meteor. 



Reggie. 



West Hall Scarlet. 



Molly. 

 Primrose. 



Avoca. 

 Brightness. 



1908. ; 



Flash. 



May Carpenter. 



Miss Willmott. 

 Stalwart. 



These may be roughly grouped under the following colours : — 

 White. — Mont Blanc, Peace, Spotless Queen. 



Yellow.— Miss Willmott, Mrs. J. S. Brunton, Molly, Primrose, 

 Prince of Yellows. 



