and then suddenly make their presence known by throwing out some color or variation 
quite new to the variety. This erratic tendency of the Dahlia even among the varieties 
fairly constant in color is undoubtedly influenced greatly by soil and climatic conditions. 
Some seasons the variegations are strongly in evidence, yet the same variety under similar 
treatment the next year, may run largely to solid color. In fact, this change may take 
place in a short period of a few weeks. One characteristic feature of variegated varie- 
ties that is noticeable is that the lighter shades in the variegation are not so stable as the 
darker shades ; for instance, the red with a white tipped petal, will gradually show less of 
the white, until the white is practically eliminated, except for an occasional flower. 
The size and vigor of blooms may be greatly increased by removing the side branches 
and leaving but one bud to a leading branch. This is a common practice for producing 
exhibition blooms, but it is neither necessary nor desirable for other purposes. A vigorous 
plant will produce a wealth of fine blooms without this forcing process. Five to twenty- 
five blooms at a time is not an unusual number for a healthy plant when it comes to 
maturity. 
For best results, remove all dead and faded flowers. They are unsightly and tax 
the strength of the plant. 
TIME TO CUT BLOOMS. 
Dahlia blooms should never be cut in the heat of the day. They are then in a half 
wilted condition — a state which it is hard to revive them from. This work should be done 
in the evening or early morning, perferably in the evening, as they will then have the cool 
night in which to harden. It is not a good practice to cut away the Dahlia foliage. It is 
needed for blooming purposes and does not make a desirable green, as it wilts too quickly 
and also causes the attached bloom to wilt soon after being cut. If foliage is desired to 
mix with the flowers, it would be better to use some other green that is more lasting. 
REFORMS. 
A reform measure among commercial growers is a long time over due. There are 
by far too many varieties grown and catalogued. 
Of the many thousands of named varieties now before the public, all but one hun- 
dred and fifty to two hundred should be discarded, retaining only those of superior merit. 
The duphcation of colors and form over and over again adds nothing to the general qual- 
ity. The private garden is the ultimate consumer of most of the varieties produced, and as 
these gardens or parks contain as a rule, but a dozen or two dozen varieties, they should 
have a condensed list of only the best varieties to select from. There will always be a 
demand for new varieties of merit and the old and inferior must eventually give place to 
the superior and new introductions. 
FLORISTS' VARIETIES. 
For the cut flower trade, this Hst should be very short and suitable to the purpose. 
A few varieties are preferable to many, and these should be clear, bright, self-colored 
flowers, though not necessarily deep colors; but should be selected to conform to the pop- 
ular color tastes of the day. A dozen good varieties would meet the requirements of the 
cut flower trade. Red, scarlet, yellow, two shades of pink, several good autumn shades 
and a few white, one large and one small for design work. The latter need not have a 
long stem, but the others should have stems from twelve to eighteen inches in length or 
longer. The Dahlia is profitable as a cut flower and sells well in all large markets. 
16 
