DAHLIAS AT WISLEY, 1907. 



223 



DAHLIAS AT WISLEY, 1907. 



In conjunction with the National Dahlia Society, a trial of Cactus Dahlias 

 was held at Wisley in 1907 to test the value of the more recently 

 introduced varieties from the point of view of garden decoration. The 

 ideal aimed at is a vigorous plant, holding its flowers of good cactus form 

 boldly erect, well above the foliage, on stiff stalks. One hundred and 

 ninety-seven stocks, representing 170 distinct varieties, including 137 

 fresh stocks from the leading nurserymen and raisers, and sixty stocks 

 of the older varieties for comparison, propagated from tubers on trial in the 

 gardens, 1903-1906, were planted out early in June. Owing to the cold, 

 unseasonable weather the plants failed to show their usual vigour and 

 wealth of colour until the autumn. Several varieties were spoiled by the 

 frost of September 23, when 26'8° F. was registered on an adjoining grass 

 plot. The plants were finally cut by the frost on October 24, when 

 25-6° F. was registered. The trial was twice inspected by a joint com- 

 mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society and National Dahlia Society, 

 and the following varieties were highly commended (XXX) : — 



A. D. Stoop — light crimson. 

 Beacon — maroon-crimson. 

 Eclair — bright scarlet. 

 Lustre — bright blood-red. 

 Meteor — orange-scarlet. 

 Mrs. J. S. Brunton — yellow, and 

 Primrose — pale yellow. 



A.M. = Award of Merit. 

 XXX = Highly commended. 



A number of paeony-flowered varieties were included in the trial (see 

 Nos. 162 et seq.). 



1. Achievement (Seale). — Reddish-orange ; petals rather broad and 

 thin, stalks not stiff ; growth weak. 



2. Acrobat (Hobbies). — White, shaded and edged with red ; flowers 

 rather small, but neat, with twisted quills ; stalks stiff, but flowers 

 drooping. 



8. A. D. Stoop (Baxter), XXX for garden decoration, September 14, 

 1906, September 26, 1907. — Light crimson ; petals rather broad, twisted ; 

 free-flowering, with flowers held well on long stiff stalks. 



4. Ajax (Hobbies), A.M. August 15, 1899. — Bright salmon-apricot ; 

 large flowers on drooping stalks. 



5. Albion (Turner), A.M. September 23, 1902. — Cream-white ; broad 

 petals, weak centres, erect growth, stiff stalks. 



6. Alexander (Dobbie, Hobbies, Mortimer, Turner), A.M. September 20, 

 1904. — Dark crimson ; flowers of good form on stout stalks. 



