70 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 5, 1889. 
POMPON, SINGLE AND 
DECORATIVE DAHLIAS.* 
By Mr. Joseph Cheal. 
Pompon op. Bouquet.— This section resembles the 
large show Dahlia in all points, with the exception of 
one, that of size. Circular in outline, evenness in 
petal, with a well-raised centre, are the principal points, 
but the smaller the flower the better. Many of the 
earlier varieties appear to have been introduced from 
Germany, but steady progress has been made in im¬ 
proving the strain in this country until many of those 
now in cultivation are perfect little gems of beauty ; 
small, refined, and of brilliant colours. As garden 
plants they are such early and abundant bloomers that 
they form striking objects in beds or borders. The 
flowers being so small and refined in character they can 
be used as cut flowers in almost any kind of decora¬ 
tion. A few of the best varieties are the following: — 
Admiration, Cupid, Darkness, E. F. Junker, Eli 
Millard, Favourite, Golden Gem, Grace, Guiding Star, 
Isabel, Iolantlie, Rosalie, Little Duchess, Little Bobby, 
Lady Blanche, Gem, Whisper, Little Ethel. 
Singles. 
Some of the enthusiastic growers of the old show 
varieties consider the re-introduction of the singles as 
altogether a retrograde movement. Others think that 
the lightness, freedom and brilliancy of the singles are 
more to be desired than the more weighty doubles. 
Since the double form appeared, such development and 
steady progress have taken place that they seem to 
have attained about the height of perfection. So 
perfect indeed, so excellently modelled, and so superb 
are they as now grown, that their very perfection seems 
almost painful, and the least flaw or irregularity 
becomes perfectly unbearable. To such an acme of 
perfection have they attained that there seems nothing 
more to strive after or possible to attain ; we, therefore, 
find growers retracing their steps and returning to first 
principles, and setting out anew from the starting 
point; hence a somewhat sudden re-appearance of the 
single type of Dihlia. From the pretty little Dahlia 
glabrata, introduced in 1840, and crossed with the 
Dahlia coccinea, subsequently introduced, new forms 
and bright colours very soon appeared. 
About the only old variety that turned up in its 
original form was Paragon. This was in existence in 
1834, and I find it described in the catalogue of 
“Superb Dahlias,” sold by Samuel Apply, of Doncaster, 
for that year. And strange to say. Paragon still holds 
a place amongst the twenty best varieties for exhibition. 
The brilliancy and variety of colour and form in the 
singles are now, through hybridisation, so great that the 
cultivator may, be he ever so fastidious, suit his taste 
and fancy in selecting from them his particular favour¬ 
ites. But there are certain very distinct types and 
forms to be desired and sought for, and Nature is here 
so generous, that it is comparatively easy to select desir¬ 
able strains or plants. Cultivators very generally 
discard all flowers of a large size, as these usually have 
a coarse appearance, and almost invariably, from the 
weight of the bloom, hang their heads and hide what 
beauty they may possess on the plant, and when cut 
are heavy, unmanageable and useless for decoration. 
Therefore, flowers of medium and small size are much 
to be desired, and particularly those that are borne on 
erect, stiff stalks. As to form, the flowers should be 
as circular and even in outline as possible, the petals 
flat and even, neatly and closely fitting or overlapping 
each other, and well recurved. A flower of this form 
not only presents a pleasing and refined appearance, 
but it lasts much longer when cut than star-like 
varieties, or those with separate petals. Of colour we 
have such a wide range that it is not difficult to satisfy 
the most fastidious desires in this direction. In self 
colours and shadings we have a range from the most 
brilliant and decided colours to the softest and most 
delicate tints, with the exception of the one cardinal 
colour, blue. Now we find increasing numbers of 
varieties with striped, tipped, flaked and spotted 
flowers, many of them being very pretty in the com¬ 
bination of colours, and some of the more decided 
contrasts being very striking in effect. 
Attention is also being paid to the selection of 
specially dwarf varieties, and Mr. Girdlestone has 
succeeded in raising a very dwarf strain. These consist 
of plants about 18 ins. in height, bearing abundant 
blossoms of ordinary size, and are likely to be very 
useful for bedding. Promiscuous sowing of seed and 
raising of seedling plants give as a result a great 
variety of subjects, and an occasional plant may be 
* A paper read at the Dahlia Conference, September 13th, 18S9. 
selected of superior merit; but to obtain really satis¬ 
factory results, and to secure advance in any desired 
direction, it is necessary to be very careful in the 
selection of seed, and careful and systematic hybridisa¬ 
tion must be resorted to with definite aims to insure 
advance in any definite direction. 
As to the cultivation of the singles, do not overfeed. 
Rich ground and stimulating manures will force them 
out of character and produce rank growth and coarse 
flower. Select poor and heavy land for them, and 
when planting, give them only sufficient manure close 
to the roots to give the plant early and rapid growth, 
and to carry it on to the flowering season ; then an 
occasional watering is all they require. Give them, in 
fact, the very opposite treatment to the doubles, or in 
a word, feed the doubles but starve the singles. In 
cutting single Dahlias always cut the flowers as young 
as possible, even before they are fully open. If cut 
thus young, an 1 in the cool of the morning or evening, 
they will last for a long time. 
I would name as a few of the best varieties in their 
sections :—Selfs (shaded varieties).—Albert Victor, 
Cetewayo, Formosa, Amos Perry, Henry Irving, Miss 
Linnaker, Queen of Singles, Duchess of Westminster, 
Alba Perfecta, W. C. Harvey, Hugo, Miss Roberts. 
Margined petals.—Duchess of Albany, Lady Montefiore, 
Victoria, Beauty of Uplands, Excelsior, James Kelway, 
Maude Millet and Mrs. Conninck. Spotted, Flaked 
and Striped.—James Scobie, Mr. Kennett, Chrs. Laws, 
Scotch Lassie and Mr. Rose. 
Decorative and Cactus Dahlias. 
In this section we hive agiin a new depu'ture. The 
true Cactus Dahlia, Juirezii, was imported direct from 
Mexico. I say true Cactus advisedly, because it is 
about the only variety that has the narrow-pointed 
petal, and the whole form of the flower so nearly 
representing a Cactus. But this variety, with its 
brilliant hue and unique form, is such a decided acqui¬ 
sition that it has proved the pioneer of a distinct class 
that now occupies a very useful position, and it has 
opened up a new field of enterprise to the devotees of 
the queen of autumn flowers. All flowers that show a 
tendency to the free, open and Cactus-like character of 
this class are eagerly sought after. The field in this 
direction is still open before us, and we shall doubtless 
see steady progress in the development of this section. 
What could be prettier or more useful than a good 
collection of Pompon Cactus, of decided colours and 
miniature in size 1 
A few of the best varieties already raised are Beauty 
of Brentwood, Panthea, Wm. Rayner, Charming Bride, 
Empress of India, Juarezii, Lady Marsham, Mrs. 
Hawkins, Henry Partick, Mr. Tait, Zulu and Lady E. 
Dyke. 
-- 
DOUBLE CHINESE PINKS. 
There is a wealth of beauty in these annual Dianthuses 
which can hardly be over-estimated. They are full of 
brilliant colouring, both self and variegated, and have 
good dwarf habits, are semi-hardy, wonderfully free 
bloomers, and of exceeding usefulness for the furnish¬ 
ing of good cut flowers. The doubles hitherto have 
been chiefly of the Diadematus section, and marked by 
an infinite variety of colouring, but mostly of parti or 
variegated mixtures. The Heddewigii section, in 
throwing doubles, seems to be reproducing more com¬ 
pletely the fine self hues for which the singles of the 
family are so famous. 
Crimson Belle is a well-known deep crimson-maroon 
kind, and Brilliant is a beautiful crimson-scarlet. 
Both are now reproduced in double form, the latter 
variety being specially named Crimson King, because 
in the sunlight its hue is so fiery and effective. Snow¬ 
ball, a pure single white, has produced Snowflake, the 
beautiful double form certificated by the Floral Com¬ 
mittee, of the Royal Horticultural Society the other day, 
and a wonderfully useful thing for the production of 
pure white double flowers for cutting late in the autumn. 
Many of the flowers are elegantly laciniated, whilst 
others bear a close resemblance to the blooms of Mrs. 
Sinkins Pink, which is so well appreciated in the sum¬ 
mer. The rich crimson seifs show up to the highest 
perfection out in the clear daylight, and the white 
variety looks pure and beautiful anywhere. 
I have a big patch of a couple of rods in extent, from 
which might be cut a large quantity of flowers most 
deliciously scented, but they are left in hopes of 
seeding later. These double forms are not free seeders, 
and therefore will not readily become plentiful, but 
they are none the less some of our most beautiful, as 
well as hardiest of summer flowers.— A. D, 
RENOVATING FRUIT TREES. 
Where there are fruit trees which are not satisfactory 
as regards health and fertility, the present time—before 
the leaves fall, and whilst they are still green—is op¬ 
portune for marking and taking notes of such as 
require attention during the autumn for the purpose of 
restoring lost vigour, and bringing about fruitfulness 
in due season. With old stunted trees, possessing a 
worn-out appearance, perhaps the best advice one can 
give is to root them out entirely, but with young ones 
and those of comparatively middle age the case is 
otherwise, and it is with these that I purpose to offer a 
few remarks. 
By careful and judicious treatment it is surprising 
what may be done in the course of two or three years 
with trees in a debilitated condition, and which per¬ 
chance may seem to the owner hardly worth retaining. 
All those with a yellowish and sickly tinge in the leaf 
are the ones that should be taken in hand. First let 
us take the case of Apples, Pears ’and Plums. If the 
trees are still comparatively young and too large it will 
be found quite safe to lift them entirely the first season 
—say, end of October, or early in November, care being 
taken not to cut or mutilate more roots than accidental 
causes may necessitate. Clear away all the old soil to 
a depth of 2 ft., and if the drainage is at fault rectify 
the same. This last point is one of great importance, 
and it is useless to expect success without paying heed 
to it. Of course, there are innumerable situations 
naturally well drained that need not trouble the planter 
in the least, but where the opposite state of things 
prevail the full cost of artificial drainage, if well done, 
will in the end be found to be money well invested. 
Hiving removed the old soil, replace with good sound 
loam—if the top spit from an old pasture can be had, 
so much the better—well tread down the same and 
re-plant the tree, spreading out the roots evenly, and at 
their proper level; afterwards securely stake and tie and 
finish off with a mulching of well-declyed farm-yard 
manure. 
I ought to add that it is a bid plan to allow rich 
manure to come into direct contact with the roots, by 
mixing it along with the soil as planting proceeds. 
Trees of rather large size are best operated on piecemeal 
as it were, taking one side of the tree this season, and 
the other side the next or following year. To lift them 
entirely the first year would cause a great check, and 
might result in total loss. Apricots and Cherries 
against walls may be treated similarly, but the soil 
ought to be of a more open character, and if it is not 
gravelly, by all means add a little mortar rubble and 
broken brickbats, so as to ensure porosity. Peaches and 
Nectarines in a bad state may also be lifted and re¬ 
planted in good sound loam, i.e., young trees. With 
large or old trees, it is imperatively necessary that the 
work of renovating should be done by degrees, and 
spread over a period of two or three years. The roots 
of these ought to be brought to within 6 ins. of the 
surface where practicable. Roots in sour sub-soils, and 
inattention to other cultural details, are the causes of 
the so-called lost art of out-door Peach culture we hear 
so much of amongst the rising generation, and not, as 
they allege, through climatal conditions.— H. J. H. 
--> 3 =<-- 
ffOTES ON UrUITS. 
Gravenstein Apple. 
Last year seemed to be particularly unfavourable to 
the proper development of this fine Apple. It is 
equally suitable either for dessert or culinary purposes, 
of large size and rather strongly angled from the base 
to the eye, which is deepty set in an angular and 
knobbed basin. The skin is usually clear yellow 
streaked and marked with bright crimson ; but last 
year, in the neighbourhood of London it had very little 
of this bright colouration. The fruits were also small 
and unusually narrow, a fact which increased their 
angular appearance greatly. So different are the fruits 
on a tree at Devonhurst, Chiswick, this season, that 
one can hardly recognise them to be the same thing. 
They are very broad in proportion to their length, so 
that the angles are almost lost sight of, and the shining 
yellow ground colour is almost entirely covered with 
bright crimson of the same glossy or lustrous appear¬ 
ance. The fruits are now ready for gathering, and 
some of them were collected some time ago. They are 
in season from October to December. The variety 
originated in the garden of the Duke of Augustenberg, 
at the castle of Grafenstein, in Germany ; hence the 
name. It well deserves to be grown in every 
collection. 
