To read on a printed page that a flower "measures 8 to 9 inches in 
diameter and is a blending in color of carmine and ivory" can not 
possibly bring to your eyes the beauty of a large plant covered with 
such flowers. 
Mrs. Taft is an honorary member of the Dahlia Society of Cali- 
fornia, and has had several Dahlias named for her, one of which, 
from the "Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm" has taken prizes whenever 
shown. 
On the occasion of the \dsit of the Queen of the Belgians to Cin- 
cinnati, at a concert given in the Cincinnati Music Hall in honor of 
the Queen, she wore, pinned to her dress, two magnificent blooms of 
" Meyerbeer " grown by Mrs. Taft, and cordially consented to have her 
name "Elizabeth" given to one of Mrs, Taft's seedlings. 
Seedling Dahlias Raised by 
Mrs. Samuel H. Taft 
President Garden Club of Cmcinnati 
1. Mrs. Nicholas Longworth, 191 7 Seedling. 
Type — Peony. 
Height— 4 feet. 
Stem — Straight and slender. 
Flower — 4 to 6 inches in diameter, comparatively double and flat. 
Color — Bright Carmine, lighted with garance. 
2. Mrs. James H. Perkins, 191 7 Seedling. 
Type — Peony. 
Height — 4 feet. 
Stem — Flexuous. 
Flower — 5 to 7 inches in diameter, semi-double with petals curling and feather-like. 
Color — Shades of Old Rose, Strawberry and Ivory. 
3. John D. Wareham, 191 8 Seedling. 
Type — Peony. 
Height — 5 feet. 
Stem — straight, strong, and rigid. 
Flower — 8 to 9 inches in diameter, and very deep. 
Color — A most superb blending of Carmine and Ivorj', both the color and texture suggest- 
ing old Venetian brocade. 
4. Mrs. Frank Perin, 191 8 Seedling. 
Type — Decorative, Peony Hybrid. 
Height — 5 feet. 
Stem — Rigid and cane-like. 
Flower — 7 to g inches in diameter and 3 inches in depth. 
Color — Apricot and Salmon Pink, changing to vivid Shrimp Pink. 
5. Golden Pheasant, 1919 Seedling. 
Type — Hybrid Decorative, showing Peony and Cactus blood. 
Height — About 4 feet. 
Stem — Large and good. 
Flower — 9 to 10 inches in diameter, very double, with petals curling and folded, showing 
the color on the reverse side. 
Color — Face of petals Scarlet; reverse of same and Golden Yellow. 
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