East Bridgewater Dahlia Gardens ]. K. Alexander, East Bridgewater, Massachusetts 
Announcement 
I take great pleasure in announcing 
to my customers and friends, that in 
1917 I purchased the entire stock of 
Dahlias belonging to Mr. Edgar W. 
Ela of Woburn, Mass., who for years 
was known to the world as one of the 
most reliable up-to-date growers of 
this section. Mr. Ela grew about 5 
acres each year, and always handled 
a fine class of Dahlias. 
How to Keep Cut 
Blooms of Dahlias 
Freshly cut flowers will keep con¬ 
siderably longer, and wilted flowers if 
not in too serious condition, will be 
entirely restored in appearance if the 
following suggestions are followed: 
Cut blossoms in early part of the day, 
whenever possible. Fill receptacle 
with water, as hot as can be borne by 
.one's hand. Plunge the stems, but 
tnot the foliage, almost their entire 
length into the water; let them remain 
in the water until it cools, then trans¬ 
fer into cold water as in usual man¬ 
ner, with the addition of a quarter- 
teaspoonful of salt to a quart of water. 
If the stems are particularly hardy 
and wiry, water near boiling point 
may be used to good advantage. My 
suggestion would be, try it and be 
convinced, regulating depth of water 
to length of stems. 
1414 Mass. Ave., S. E. 
Washington, D. C., July 1, 1918. 
My Dear Mr. Alexander: 
Allow me to express to you my keen 
appreciation for your kindness in hav¬ 
ing sent me the Dahlia “Alight.” My 
other Dahlias are just doing fine and 
I am immensely proud of them. 
I remain, yours respectfully, 
(MRS.) DOROTHY POWERS. 
Blanche—Single Dahlia (See page 40). 
Classification of Dahlias 
Dahlias are divided into two divisions, double 
and single; and each division is again sub-divided 
into classes, according to size, form of flowers and 
arrangement of colors. 
DOUBLE DAHLIAS are divided into the follow¬ 
ing classes: Cactus, Decorative, Peony-Flowered, 
Colossal, Show, Fancy, and Pompon. 
CACTUS DAHLIAS. This class is of compara¬ 
tively recent introduction, and is entirely distinct 
from any other class. The flowers are loosely and 
artistically formed, and very irregular, resembling 
the Chrysanthemum. Petals long, twisted, and ter¬ 
minating in a point. Some varieties possess nearly 
straight petals, others are gracefully incurved. 
COLLARETTE DAHLIAS. The flowers are 
single, with an additional row of shorter petals 
around the disc, which forms a frill or collar, 
usually of a different color from the outer petals. 
COLOSSAL DAHLIAS. Those producing flowers 
of gigantic size, great depth, massive in propor¬ 
tions, and globular in shape; petals are cup-shaped, 
and placed in exact regularity. Plants are strong, 
sturdy, and robust. 
DECORATIVE DAHLIAS are large, flat, and full 
to the center; petals quite irregularly situated, 
long, broad, flat, and nearly straight. 
PEONY-FLOWERED DAHLIAS. A new type 
of Dahlia; flowers are semi-double, having two, 
three, or more rows of broad, flat, loosely arrang¬ 
ed petals, surrounding a conspicuous, rich, golden 
yellow center. Petals are often pointed, and some¬ 
times twisted, and in some varieties the inner row 
of petals twists and curls over the center, giving 
the appearance of a Japanese Peony, hence its 
name. The blossoms are very effective and grace¬ 
ful, and adapt themselves to bouquets better than 
any other type; some are very large and fluffy. 
FANCY DAHLIAS. In form and habit identi¬ 
cal with the Show Dahlia, but different in arrange¬ 
ment of colors. The flowers are tipped or edged 
lighter than the ground color, or splashed, striped, 
mottled and variegated, in every conceivable man¬ 
ner. They often throw a solid flower, on the same 
plant. 
POMPON DAHLIAS. In form identical with 
the Show and Fancy, the only difference being size 
of flowers ; they are small, round, miniature Dah¬ 
lias, and flower much more freely than any other 
class. 
SINGLE DAHLIAS. These have but one row 
of petals, generally eight, resembling the Cosmos, 
and are very free flowering. 
SHOW DAHLIAS. These are large, spherical, 
regular, compact and full to the center. The flow¬ 
ers are either solid, edged, tippod, or shaded 
darker. 
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