48 
The Garden Magazine, March, 1924 
Later cultivation is as necessary as preliminary preparation of 
the soil and planting; not that Dahlias require so much, but 
whatever is to be done must be properly done at the right time. 
For the first four or five weeks of a Dahlia plant’s life, up until 
the very first appearance of flower buds, give deep thorough 
cultivation every eight to ten days; after that only very shallow 
cultivation and only often enough to keep the soil free from the 
small weeds. Deep cultivation at this time would break off 
the tiny feeding roots that come close to the top of the soil 
at this stage. Some quickly available plant food, such as 
nitrate of soda or liquid manure, may be used as the flowers are 
developing. When growing large exhibition blooms it is also 
well to keep the plants supplied with plenty of water during a 
dry season. 
Blooms of Many Types 
I N GROWING extra large flowers pruning and disbudding are 
important. Remove all but the main branches and all buds 
except the central ones just as soon as the first sign of buds ap¬ 
pears. If it is necessary to give the bushes support by tying 
them up to stakes, use one-inch strips of soft cloth and fasten 
loosely to avoid cutting or bruising the stalks. The stakes 
should be placed at the time when the tubers are planted, then 
there is no interference with the root system by driving the 
stakes into the ground after the plants have attained full size. 
The name of each plant may be placed on the stake, thus serving 
as a label. Stakes should be left three or four feet above the 
top of the soil and be driven deep enough to give them firm sup¬ 
port, usually from eighteen inches to two feet, depending on 
looseness or firmness of the soil. 
The Cactus Dahlia is probably the most popular type because 
of its beautiful, rare, chrysanthemum-like form and its wide 
range of colors and color combinations. 
The Peony Dahlia is a close second, in type much like a semi¬ 
double Peony; hence its name. 
The Decorative Dahlia, a very large and showy type, fine for 
cut flowers, stands between the Show or ball type and the 
Cactus in form. This type too is endowed with a splendid 
assortment of colors and blends. 
The Collarette Dahlias are like singles with a row of tubular 
developments inside the ray florets. 
Show Dahlias are the old-fashioned, ball-shaped types, very 
true and regular in shape, colors medium, size large. They are 
well worth while even though no longer so much in vogue. 
The Pompon is a small form of the Show Dahlia, a very pro¬ 
lific flowering type of rather compact growth, and so can be 
planted closer than the others. 
The Single or Century type of Dahlia, while not so largely 
grown as the other types, offers many beautiful varieties which 
are useful for indoor decorations. 
New varieties and forms of special merit are constantly being 
introduced and each year sees new favorites which are worth 
trying out, and it often happens that some of these are of ex¬ 
traordinary value though it is well, of course, to test out the 
newcomers before planting them in quantity. 
DOMINANT DAHLIAS OF TO-DAY 
DERR ILL W. HART 
Selected Groups of Prize-winning Varieties to Guide the Prospective Buyer 
C OMPETITION in the Dahlia shows grows keener 
every year and if the amateur grower wants to enter 
his blooms on equal grounds with the skilled horticul- 
VliSN! turist at the state show, state fair, county fair, or local 
city exhibit, it is imperative that up-to-date varieties be staged. 
Even though competitive display be not the goal, real satisfac¬ 
tion is only to be had through keeping abreast of the times. 
The progressive gardener may use these lists in making his plant¬ 
ing orders for this season. Each variety listed is a fine garden 
grower and the list embraces winners in the big shows of New 
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and elsewhere. The selec¬ 
tions are the result of several years of study in show room and 
garden. Wherever possible, the name of the originator has been 
given. 
Decoratives 
PINKS 
Jersey Beauty (Waite), the finest pink to date. Sensational 1923 winner. 
Margaret Masson (Stewart & Fisher). Clear soft pink; exquisite coloring. A 
1923 winner at Philadelphia and Trenton. 
Rockwood (Bessie Boston). Rich cerise pink; very artistic flower 
Constancy (Seal). Watermelon pink; tine flower. 
Old Rose Beauty (Van Bourgondien). Aptly named flower on extra long stems. 
Pride of Connecticut (Ailing). Graceful, clear pink. 
REDS 
Tommy Atkins (Bessie Boston). Just about the brightest colored of all Dahlias; 
covered with metallic lustre. 
Giant Ruby (Greinberg). Brilliant red of extreme beauty and flashy appearance. 
Henry F. Michell (Root). Splendidly formed flower on long stems; fine for ex¬ 
hibition. 
WHITES 
Elt;a Clark Bull (Bessie Boston). Pure white of exceedingly fine texture; gigan¬ 
tic flowers on good stems. 
IVhite Sister (Stout). Large ivory white; broad petals; large flowers. A 1923 
winner. 
IVbite Glory (Ailing). Another pure white; perfect Decorative type. 
Snowdrift (Broomall). Sti! 1 one of the best whites. 
Lavender Shades 
Jersey Jewel (Waite). Fine large flower of great beauty; soft color. 
Shudow Lavender (Bessie Boston). Silvery white and lavender; still the out¬ 
standing lavender. 
Mrs. Carl Salbach (Salbach). A really beautiful Dahlia; clear lavender, shading 
lighter towards center, stems like wire. 
La Mascotte (Bessie Boston). The most unusual Dahlia in this class; distinc¬ 
tively different in color. 
Jersey Gem (Waite). Very deep lavender mauve Several times winner in 
1923. 
AUTUMN SHADES 
Amun Ra (Seal). Nothing surpasses this burnished copper in effectiveness 
either in show room or in garden; giant flowers. 
Insulinde (Hornsvelde) Coppery bronze flower of immense size; indispensable as 
an exhibition flower. 
Al Koran (Davies). A beautiful combination of golden orange and amber. 
IVinfield Slocombe (Slocombe). Rich orange; ideal cut flower 
Champagne (Bessie Boston). Beautiful massive buff flower with a touch of 
"champagne.” 
GOLDEN YELLOW SHADES 
El Dorado (Bessie Boston). Pure golden flower; even formation. 
Sagamore (Badetty Bros.) One of the finest Dahlias; deep gold with salmon 
center; a consistent winner. 
Mrs. John M. Root (Root). Gigantic flowers of rich orange. 
