March, 1915 
T II E G A R D E N M A G A Z I N E 
95 
The Best 800 Dahlias 
The selection of the largest 
dahlia grower in the world 
There is no necessity of emphasizing the fact that this is the 
Dahlia era. Just as June has been known as the “Month of Roses,” 
so the period from August to October is now known to all garden 
lovers as “Dahlia Time.” 
Easily raised outdoors by any child, the up-to-date dahlia with its 
myriad forms and remarkable colorings is the crowning touch of the 
garden year. 
Every year sees hundreds of new varieties added to the already large 
list of dahlias — but it is unfortunately true that many of these varieties 
fail to meet the expectations of the garden lover. At Atco, New Jersey, 
on the largest dahlia plantation in the world (ioo acres), the finest of 
the foreign and American introductions are thoroughly tested each year 
and when they have proved their adaptability to American soil con- 
ditions, are offered either in plant or dormant root form, ready for 
your garden. 
Among all the recent books issued on the subject of Dahlias none is 
more helpful than the “Book of 800 Best Dahlias,” by David R. 
Herbert, listing the varieties that stand every test, including novelties 
that have attracted the utmost attention at the last Dahlia shows and 
illustrating many of the best decorative, fancy, cactus, show, peony- 
flowered, collarette, century and pompon dahlias in natural colors or in 
black and white. This book is frankly a commercial production — it aims 
to interest more people in dahlia growing, to bring those who are now 
growing dahlias to improve their plantings by the addition of the best 
new varieties. Its lists of exhibition sets will be read with rare interest 
by the most expert dahlia men in America, who recall the many varieties 
selected previously by Mr. Herbert which received the highest possible 
awards from the Dahlia societies of this and other countries. 
There is no reason why any garden lover need hesitate to write for this book 
to David R. Herbert, Box 4or, Atco, New Jersey. It is free to all who are inter- 
ested in dahlias. Nor need any one hesitate to try raising the finest dahlias on 
his home grounds. Any reader of Garden Magazine who mentions this advertise- 
ment and encloses one dollar, will receive prepaid a selection made by experts 
from the best proven varieties, all ten to be either cactus dahlias, decorative 
dahlias, or show dahlias, every one a different, named variety. This offer is not 
to be confused with the ordinary unnamed groups — with these named selections 
every plant becomes an interesting, pleasing acquaintance. 
If you want all three collections, 30 plants in all, send $2.50 and mention this 
publication. A profusion of bloom this year at the time when color in the garden 
is too often lacking. 
Cut from “Book of 800 Best Dahlias, ** by David R. Herbert 
Perle de Lyon 
(cut shown above) perfect in form, pure 
white in color. The profusion of large 
beautifully shaped flowers, on long stiff stems, has led experts to call 
this “The best of white dahlias regardless of type.” 
1C a 1*1 a remar kable new cactus dahlia, frequently 
IVladLCI IVctl 1 p ear j n g flowers seven inches in diameter, of 
clear, bright amber color with slight scarlet tinge in center. Illus- 
trated in natural colors in the Herbert book. 
“GLADIATOR 
Delice 
appreciated. 
the world’s best pink decorative dahlia. Remarkable lavender-pink 
flowers in profusion, on sturdy stems. Must be seen in colors to be 
Shown in natural colors in the Herbert book. 
Rene Cayeux 
the brilliant geranium-red cactus dahlia. Flowers early* 
bears a profusion of strikingly brilliant flowers. 
a fancy dahlia noted for its large size and remarkable 
iTldldl co ioring. Canary yellow, marked with fine stripes and 
splashings of deep-red. A startling attraction. 
( 
Any reader of Garden Magazine who mentions this publication will receive one each of 
the above varieties, delivery prepaid, if he sends $1 to David R. Herbert, Box 401, 
Atco, N. J., and will be sent free a copy of the Herbert “Book of 800 Best Dahlias.’’ 
) 
Cannas and Gladioli 
In his book Mr. Herbert includes the choicest of the older Cannas, and Gladioli, 
and the best new introductions in each. With Gladioli, Cannas and Dahlias, no 
garden need lack for color from the day June dies to the time when the snow falls. 
For the convenience of those garden lovers who want to test the finer varieties at minimum 
cost, he is offering, one each of the three best new cannas for 35c. Gladiator (shown by cut) 
bears many long, strong stalks of bright yellow flowers, thickly spotted with crimson. Uncle 
Sam is the brilliant orange scarlet Canna, growing 6 to 7 ft. high which attracted such attention 
on the White House grounds at Washington. Venus is a gay, rosy pink canna with mottled 
border of cream yellow. 
Herbert’s Suburban Collection of 72 Gladioli, enough to plant a fine bed, for $2.50, prepaid, 
is too well known to require extended comment. It includes one dozen each of America, 
Augusta, Brenchleyensis, May, Mrs. Francis King and Principe. 
The Readers' Service is prepared to advise parents in regard to schools 
