DAHLIAS 
CULTIVATION. — While the Dahlia is one of the easiest of all flowers to cultivate, it by no means follows that it 
requires no attention. In fact, no flower that we have ever cultivated will give such a generous response to good culti- 
vation as the Dahlia. Deep and thorough stirring of the soil during the early growth of the plant is indispensable to 
success. With poor cultivation or neglect, the flower will rapidly degenerate — becoming semi-double and faded in 
color. The Dahlia, with but few exceptions, should be given an open, sunny situation for at least a portion of each 
day. It is a rank feeder and should be given rich soil and kept free from weeds. We are in favor of takingup the 
roots every year, as soon as the tops are cut down by the frost, and laid away in sawdust or in a dry place. Plant 
them out again in MAY OR THEY CAN BE PLANTED AS LATE AS THE END OF JUNE. We strongly advise- 
our customers not to be in a hurry about setting the Dahlia out, as it is essentially a fall flower, and when planted early 
they bloom in the hot summer months, and the flowers are very inferior, and at that season they are generally infected 
with an insect called "Diabrotica," resembling a lady bug, which does much damage to the flower of the dahlia. This 
insect disappears later on; hence our reason for advising late planting. So many of our customers have been disap- 
pointed in this respect just through early planting. Continuing with our remarks about cultivating — as soon as the- 
plants are about two feet high, they should be staked, care being taken that the stake is driven far enough away from 
the root, so that it may not be injured. Mulch heavily with old, well-rotted manure, and give the plants a thorough 
soaking once in ten days or two weeks. Frequent syringing adds greatly to the health and vigor of the plant. Dis- 
budding or picking off some of the flower buds and leaving only a few on one bush adds greatly to the size of the bloom. 
Dahlias can be set out from two kinds of roots, viz., DRY ROOTS and GREEN POT PLANTS. The former can be 
obtained as soon as we dig them, in December, and can be kept in sawdust, as above described, till planting time. It 
is better to order early or when you are getting your other stock. 
GREEN POT PLANTS will be ready for delivery during May; they are grown in pots and raised from a cutting. 
There are some of the newer sorts which we can supply in green plants only. These — green plants — you will please 
remember, will all bloom the first season after planting, and at the same time they are forming a bulb, which will do- 
te planting out next season. THE DAHLIA KEEPS ON MULTIPLYING YEAR AFTER YEAR. 
NEWEST INTRODUCTIONS 
Those varieties marked with a star can only be supplied in green plants in May. 35c each; $3.50 per dozen. 
MRS. MORSE 
This variety is one of our own introductions. It is a sport froms 
Mad. H. Chanet. Color, [beautiful pure snow-white, showing no 
yellow shading, whatever. It is a decorative Dahlia, flowers large, borne very freely 
on long stems, throwing the flowers well above the foliage, thus rendering it very- 
valuable for cutting purposes. It is a fine keeper lasting foi several days after cutting.. 
Those who have seen this Dahlia at our nurseries all say that it is the purest and best 
white they have ever seen. Mr. George C. Boeding says: "AVhen on a visit to your 
nurseries in Oakland a few days ago, I was shown through your nursrey of Dahlias. 
I want to take this opportunity of complimenting you on your magnificent collection. 
Among the numerous varieties which impressed me was the 'Mrs. Morse'. It is^ 
certainly one of the finest white Dahlias I have ever seen. I am of the opinion, 
that it is a very valuable variety and. is sure to meet the delighted approval of alt- 
lovers of these beautiful flowers." 
A grand, striking-, rich, orange-colored decorative dahlia. 
BEACON 
DAYBREAK 
very free in bl 
*DOROTHY VERNON 
A very rare shade of burnished copper; true cactus sort- 
stems good, holding flower well above foliage. Good keeper; 
very free in bloom. 
A very pleasing cactus Dahlia of exquisite- 
shape. Color, flesh, shading through maple 
to cameo. 
ffrCTll TTMRTA A fancy cactus sort; red; petals long : 
UWL.Umoi.rt fully tipped white. 
id narrow, beauti- 
fJFTTYSRIJRfi An exceedingly large decorative Dahlia; full, round, high, 
vxi-i * i juunu center. Bright rich scarlet.-- An early and extremely- 
profuse bloomer. 
LADY COLIN CAMPBELL 
Stiff stems. 
A fine yellow, shaded orange, cactus 
Dahlia; flowers large, borne on long: 
J IIPTFFR A true cactus . Petals long and narrow, twisted; flowers borne 
3 ~' w V«* j_i.iv very profusely; orange and old gold. 
A very large, double ros 
Exceedingly large; white, 
delicate purple; a show v; 
edge of petals 
riety. 
rariety. 
tipped' 
*MRS. ALEXANDER 
MRS. WHYNDHAM 
MADAM VAN DEN DAEL S^^^S? 
white. Shading shell pink on outer end of petals. This variety attracted 
much attention when on exhibition at our store and nurseries last season. 
A superb rich crimson cactus, long narrow petals„ 
finest form, always full to the center; a free early 
SAILOR PRINCE 
bloomer. 
SHAMROCK 
THOMPSON 
A true cactus sort; long narrow petals; bright brick red. 
Very dark red; a large double show variety. 
THE DUKE Most vivia scarlet; very often showing yellow center, whicb> 
* " v->«.J-i adds greatly to its beauty. 
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