on when they begin, to look crowded, put into 3-in. pots and 
place in a cold-frame where they may develop slowly but are 
safe from the danger of frost. Plant in the garden toward the 
end of May if weather is favorable, about two feet apart, and 
attend to watering and cultivating. Those plants you may 
select when the flowering season comes along as being worthy of 
a place in your collection, will have made good roots to lift and 
store in the fall. Divide them next spring in the usual manner, 
and you have thereafter the satisfaction of knowing that you 
have helped to produce and own a new Dahlia — yours to name. 
To the amateur it may be confusing when looking over the 
various catalogs to read about the different types and varieties, 
so. I will enumerate at the end of these notes just a few of the 
popular garden and exhibition varieties in favor today. 
Not so many years ago the types and varieties of Dahlias 
compared to the multitudes of today, were very few indeed. 
From the Singles and Show — or Double — types of those days 
and from the original Cactus type, "Dahlia Juarezi," have been 
developed an almost endless number of varieties and types. 
One of the Dahlias of over 25 j'ears ago, Countess of Lonsdale, 
is still with us today, almost the sole survivor of the early 
English Cactus varieties. During this long period it has held 
its place against thousands of later introductions; it should be 
in every garden collection, not because of sentiment but because 
it is the ideal type of garden Dahlia, sturdy in growth, free 
flowering and disease-resisting. 
The standard types of today are Decoratives, Hybrid Dec- Types of 
oratives, Peony, Cactus, Hybrid Cactus, Duplex, Collarettes, Dahlias 
Singles, Pompons, and the Show or Fancy type — which latter 
being considered too stiff and formal is not in favor. The 
variety Pierrot is a good example of the Cactus (English) type, 
these having narrow straight or in-curved petals. The variety 
Attraction would illustrate the Hybrid (American) Cactus, 
having petals much broader and generally a stronger and bolder 
flower. In the Decorative type one may take the old variety 
Souvenir de Gustav Doazon as a good example, and the beauti- 
ful Insulinde a good type of the newer Hybrid Decoratives. 
The Decorative type being descended from the old Variabilis, 
will often vary in the type, sometimes throwing blooms of a 
perfect Peony type. This sporting is principally owing to 
climatic conditions, exceedingly hot weather having a tendency 
to make them develop too fast and flower with open centers. 
Again a Dahlia may be introduced in California as a Decorative, 
and when grown in the Eastern states, gives mostly Peony 
blooms, or vice-versa. The Singles and Pompons are very 
popular and useful for cut flowers and should be in every home 
garden. 
In ordering your Dahlia tubers for next season be sure you 
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