Z A N T ’ S 
BLUE 
RIBBON 
DAHLIAS 
OUR DAHLIAS ARE RATED 
These ratings are based on the results obtained in our 
own gardens. Some of the newer varieties will score 
higher in another year as they become acclimated to our 
climate and soil. We very seldom condemn a new variety 
if it does not come up to expectations the first year, but 
try it again, and then if it does not score at least 80 under 
our system we discard it. Many of the Roll of Honor 
Varieties and other highly advertised varieties, originated 
on the eastern and western coasts, have not been a success 
in the hot dry summer heat we have in the mid-western 
and southern states. That is why we have fought so hard 
for a Trial Garden at East Lansing, Michigan, so the 
originators can send them there for trial before the Mich¬ 
igan Growers buy them. This trial garden is under the 
direction of the American Dahlia Society, the same as the 
one at Storrs, Conn., and we are sure it will prove to be 
the greatest benefit to all Dahlia Lovers in the Central 
States. 
We score varieties for husky growth, the ability to 
withstand insect pests by their strong growth, good stems, 
the bloom to be carried well and of good size for cut 
flowers especially, and the ability to continue to grow large 
perfect blooms until killed by frost. 
Your best investment will be those varieties that we 
score at least 85. 
You will note a change in our description of varieties. 
We have added to our Rating the size leaf, and the aver¬ 
age height of the bush as grown under ordinary field 
culture, only watering when necessary but constantly 
spraying to keep the bushes clean and thrifty. Most back¬ 
yard gardeners will get much taller growth, we believe, 
on account of the individual attention given to smaller 
plantings. In varieties where foliage is large and coarse we 
find the insects do not bother much; medium leaf is not 
objectionable; but we steer clear of the small leaf 
varieties. Varieties are marked thus: LL. (Large Leaf); 
ML. (Medium Leaf); SL. (Small Leaf). 
An extract from the article appearing in “The Dahlia,” 
the official bulletin of the Central States Dahlia Society, 
for December, 1934, entitled 
SCOUTING THE DAHLIA PATCHES 
By J. Louis Roberts 
Nationally Known Dahlia Judge 
President, Central Dahlia Society 
Vice-President, American Dahlia Society 
. . . Leaving the trial grounds we then went on to 
Grand Rapids and stopped at Zant’s Wildwood Gardens. 
It would be a treat for any dahlia fan to see the blooms 
at this place, especially if you stood at the bottom of the 
garden, and looked up the inclined planting at the mass 
of large flowers that were in bloom. We noted that Hill- 
crest Sunset, apricot color, and Monmouth Queen, a yel¬ 
low, looked real good. Also Kemp’s No. 32, a dark purple, 
which I understand is now named “Daddy Kemp,” and a 
No. 14 seedling looked good. 
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