them as of one t^"pe or another. As a consequence, it is quite likely 
that the official classification will have to be amended or changed. 
The Paeony-flowered, Decorative and Cactus types this year have 
showed some remarkable Mendings of character, and already the 
terms "Hybrid Paeony" and ''Hybrid Cactus" have been used for 
purposes of differentiation. 
The Dahlia, beyond all other plants, promises surprises to the 
enthusiastic culturist who seeks originations. The delight of pro- 
ducing seedlings is shared by commercial and amateur growers alike. 
A well-known commercial grower remarked at a recent show, ''Of mv 
seventy acres of Dahlias, I find that, when making a tour of them for 
inspection, my steps invariably lead me, first of all, to my planting of 
two thousand seedlings, which are to me my chief attraction, even 
though I may not retain, as this year, more than five." 
This year the new varieties presented are mostly of the Paeony- 
flowered type. While especially suited for garden purposes, flowers 
of this type are excellent for cutting, and last well in the home. The 
strong colors to be found in this type appeal to many, and who do 
not mind the exposed yellow centre characteristic of most varieties in 
the class. 
In the Decorative class, most popular for all purposes, some 
splendid originations have been noticed, embodying the qualities of 
good size and proportionate substance. Strange to say, color has 
seemed to run to buffs, amber, and deep gold, some with suffusions of 
deeper colors, but all beautiful. Pink shades in the varieties produced . 
have shown very little advance over existing sorts. The old Delice 
still reigns as head of the pink varieties in point of color. 
The Show Dahlia, which in recent years has fallen behind in the 
estimation of garden lovers, seems to be recovering lost ground. 
Some very beautiful varieties have been put forward which e\'idence 
marked improvement in color and form. 
No striking advance has been noticed in the Single class, nor in the 
Collarette section; and no notable additions appear to have been 
made in the Pompon section, where size has been the chief aim, with a 
flower of "button" proportions the mark. 
John H. Pepper. 
The bulletin of the Dahlia Society was issued on January ist, and 
will appear promptly on the first of each quarter hereafter; and an 
effort will be made by the officers of the Society to make it the most 
\aluable thing of the kind published. 
Membership fee is $2 a year, and that is the only charge. 
E. C. \[iCK, Secretary. 
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