March 22,1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
215 
O WING to the untoward character of the season, the Exhibition 
held by the National Dahlia Society at the Crystal Palace in 
September last proved an unusually small one—in fact, there were 
fewer Show and Fancy Dahlias staged in competition than at any 
similar show for ten years. There were also fewer Pompons than 
at either of the three previous exhibitions, and not quite so many 
singles as in 1892. On the other hand, there was even a larger 
and finer display of the popular Cactus and Decorative Dahlias 
than at the preceding show. 
I have this year only given the number of flowers and bunches 
staged at the last five National shows. It may, however, be of 
interest, if only for the sake of comparison, if I state that the 
average number of Show Dahlias staged in competition at the 
preceding six exhibitions was 898, and of Fancies 350. 
1889. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1893. 
Shows. 
(No. of blooms) 
922 
934 
854 
879 
720 
Fancies. 
274 
283 
286 
340 
270 
Pompons . 
(No. of bunches) 
147 
214 
193 
267 
168 
Cactus and Decorative 
74 
156 
158 
209 
264 
Singles... ... ... ... 
50 
95 
124 
138 
128 
In the above short statement the number of flowers shown in 
the classes for three or more blooms of any one variety have not 
been included. 
Of the Show varieties, which were singularly well represented 
last year, may be mentioned William Rawlings, J. T. West, 
T. J. Saltmarsh, and Burgundy. On the other hand there were 
many more sorts, but only one occupying even a moderately high 
position, which have seldom, if ever, been so indifferently shown. 
Among these must be included the premier flower Mrs. Gladstone, 
also Prince Bismarck, Mrs. Harris, Hope, John Henshaw, James 
Tick, and Earl of Ravensworth. 
In previous analyses I have pointed out how many old favourites 
have passed out of the lists since the first tables appeared 
eleven years ago. There is, however, another side to this 
question equally surprising, and that is the consistent way in 
which many other old varieties have maintained their ground 
from year to year. Of course there are but few of these which 
are now to be seen on the exhibition table in the same numbers 
throughout the whole eleven years ; but, nevertheless, there are a 
few even of these, while many others can show good records for 
the past five or more years. Then, again, a good many of the 
more modern varieties exhibit the same reliability as exhibition 
flowers. In confirmation of the above statements I will take the 
first twenty-four of the more established kinds on the list one by 
one, and give a few particulars respecting each of them, leaving 
out the varieties introduced since 1889 for separate consideration 
afterwards. 
That marvellous Dahlia, Mrs. Gladstone, although by no means 
new, having been sent out ten years ago, still stands far in advance 
of all other kinds, and for eight seasons in succession has headed 
the list of Show varieties. Notwithstanding its poor form last 
year, the average for this variety, it will be observed, is half as 
large again as that for any of its rivals. Mrs. Langtry (1885), 
which comes second on the table, has gained greatly in favour 
during the last four years, previous to which it was only staged, 
as a rule, about half as frequently. William Rawlings (1881), 
too, has a high and steady record since 1888, but before that 
No. 717.—VoL. XXVIII., Third Sebies. 
year was comparatively little shown. Harry Keith (1886) is 
another exceptionally reliable flower. The same may be said of 
R. T. Rawlings (1886) which has scarcely varied at all during the 
last five years. The number of times it was staged at these 
five exhibitions is as follows : 28, 26, 25, 25, and 24. Colonist, 
J. T. West, and Willie Garratt (all 1887 varieties), show a very 
consistent record for four years. Henry Walton (1873) and 
James Cocker (1871), two of the oldest Dahlias on the list, are 
not quite as often exhibited now as they were eight or nine years 
ago, but nevertheless still hold good positions. In fact, at three 
of the last six shows the latter was to be found in twenty or 
more stands. The record for Maud Fellowes has varied but 
little since it came out in 1889. Ethel Britton, distributed as far 
back as 1880, is virtually as often set up now as it was eleven years 
ago. Mrs. W. Slack shows no sign whatever of decline since first 
tabulated in 1887. That dark variety, Prince of Denmark, still 
holds its ground, and in recent years has been almost as frequently 
exhibited as it was at the beginning of the period under review* 
T. J. Saltmarsh (1885), too, although it has had its good and bad 
seasons, appears as great a favourite as ever ; indeed, at the last 
show was more largely staged than at any previous exhibition. 
Shirley Hibberd (1881) and Harrison Weir (1883) are also now 
as well shown as they were nine years ago. Goldfinder (1881), 
on the other hand, has not appeared as often in the last six years 
as formerly. Hon. Mrs. P. Wyndham (1881) once the leading 
flower in this section, has likewise only been shown about half 
the number of times during the past five years as in the preceding 
six. Miss Cannell (1881), on the other hand, has a fairly even 
record for the past ten years. The same may also be said of another 
old favourite, George Rawlings (1882). Lastly, we come to three 
1879 varieties—Joseph Ashby, Prince Bismarck, and Clara. The 
first of these has a fairly even record for six exhibitions, while the 
other two show more or less decided signs of decline in recent 
years. 
Five varieties sent out in 1890 will be found on the list. Of 
these newer sorts Duke of Fife has risen since last year from 
No. 34 to No. 13, John Hickling from No. 30 to No. 17, while 
Majestic appears in the table for the first time at No. 27. Alice 
Emily and Crimson Globe, on the other hand, were both less 
frequently shown than at the previous Exhibition. There is 
only one 1891 variety, Mrs. Humphries, which on its first 
appearance stands at No. 36. Four of the five 1892 sorts already 
occupy good places, and especially that grand new white variety 
John Walker, which rises since last year from No. 13 to No. 7, 
while William Powell will be found at No. 13, Arthur Ocock 
at No. 16, and Arthur Rawlings at No. 17, but George Gordon 
at only No. 44. 
Mrs. Saunders (1872) still takes the lead of all the Fancies, but 
owing to the poor appearance it put in last year is closely pressed 
by Rev. J. B. M. Camm (1873). I venture to predict the final 
triumph of the latter variety owing to its steadier record—which 
has at the last seven shows only varied from 19 to 23. Both of 
these old sorts, however, are threatened by Mrs. John Downie and 
Matthew Campbell, both of which were sent out only in 1889, 
Duchess of Albany (1884) has a very even record for six jears, 
showing it to be a reliable kind to grow. Frank Pearce (1886) has 
also done well since first generally cultivated three years ago. 
Peacock (1877) shows scarcely any variation for nine years. 
Henry Eckford (1886) on the other hand is somewhat more 
irregular in its records, while Gaiety (1879) is not now nearly es 
popular as an exhibition flower as formerly, and the same may be 
said of Mrs. N. Halls. Dorothy (1888) was exceptionally well shown 
last year. Chorister (1881) has its ups and downs, but is still nearly 
as frequently staged as ever, and the same remark applies to 
Rebecca (1883). 
There are five new Fancies on the list this year. Of the 
two 1890 varieties T. W. Girdlestone has fallen since last year f.om 
No. 2373.—Von. XC., Old Series. 
