74 Dahlias 
HOSEA WATERER, Philadelphia 
DAHLIAS, New and Recent Introductions 
ABBREVIATIONS: F.D., Formal Decorative; I.D., Informal Decorative; C., Cactus; S.-C., Semi-Cactus; 
AMERICAN PURITY. S.-C. This variety won in the Undissemi¬ 
nated Semi-Cactus Classes in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Chicago, 
also an American Home Achievement Medal at Chicago. It is a 
fine, large, deep white on strong, erect stems. Its substance and 
keeping qualities make it an ideal exhibition Dahlia. Foliage 
clean, and a good root-maker. Roots, $7.50 each. Plants, $3.75. 
AMERICA’S SWEETHEART. I.D. One of the sensations of the 
exhibitions during the past season in the “largest of all classes. 
This beautiful Informal Decorative is pure yellow without any 
shadings, and the flower is borne high above the foliage on long, 
cane-like stems. It often attains a diameter of 1 foot or better. 
Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1.25. 
BALLEGO’S SURPRISE. S.-C. This novelty is very easily de¬ 
scribed as a white Frau O. Bracht, which should tell you sufficient. 
A Dahlia of this type should be very desirable as a cut-flower and 
for exhibition. Certainly it is a welcome addition in this class. 
Roots, $2 each. Plant's, $1. 
CALIFORNIA IDOL. I.D. One of the finest. Color bright, self- 
colored yellow. In size it ranks with the very largest, growing to 
14 inches and more in diameter, with corresponding depth, and 
yet is an extremely refined flower. Stems very stiff. Plant has 
excellent growing habits and is medium tall. One of the greatest 
winners on the exhibition table. Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
CHEROKEE ROSE. I.D. A Jersey’s Beauty seedling with all its 
parent’s good qualities, including long, erect stems and more pro¬ 
fuse bloom. It is one of those dependable varieties, always good, 
and in no way temperamental. A quick grower, with deep, full- 
centered flowers from the beginning of the season until frost. 
Beautiful shade of lilac-pink, shaded deep rose-pink. Roots, $5 
each. Plants, $1.50. 
DAHLIADEL GOLD. F.D. A Formal Decorative for the largest 
bloom class. Pleasing golden yellow, shading darker at center, with 
a light coral-red suffusion. Strong-growing bush with dark green, 
spreading foliage. Grows extremely large naturally. Roots, $1.50 
each. Plants, 75 cts. 
DEMOCRACY. F.D. A Formal Decorative of primrose-yellow, 
shaded golden yellow, globular in form, with petals that open back 
to the stem. Lateral blooms make excellent cut-flowers as they 
face and open similar to Jersey’s Beauty. Good growing habits 
with long, strong stems. Certificate, Storrs, Conn. Roots, $1.50 
each. Plants, 75 cts. 
DUBONNET. M.S.-C. One of the prettiest Miniature Cactus 
Dahlias you can grow. Color a rich deep oxblood-red that does 
not fade or burn. Beautiful, compact bushes with dense, dark 
green, healthy foliage covered with dark red blooms. A picture in 
itself. This variety grows with natural stems for cutting and the 
more flowers you cut the more it produces. Roots, $2. Plants, $1. 
GOLDEN BOUNTY. F.D. A most outstanding Formal Decorative 
Dahlia. The soft rich lemon-yellow blooms of perfect form, about 
9 by 6 inches, are of wonderful substance that appeals to everyone, 
whether for garden or cutting. Early. Free-blooming, low-growing, 
healthy bushes. Roots, $5 each. Plants, $2. 
HUNT’S VELVET WONDER. I.D. The attractive, broad-petaled 
blooms are huge and have good, full centers and great depth. 
They are deep rosy magenta, blending into a true purple, and are 
well proportioned. Large, dark green foliage. Roots, $1.50 each. 
Plants, 75 cts. 
LIMELIGHT. S.-C. Dwarf-growing but an improved Frau O. Bracht. 
A true Semi-Cactus of soft sulphur-yellow, with good erect stems. 
Blooms 9 by 5 inches. Roots, $7.50 each. Plants, $2.50. 
LORD OF AUTUMN. I.D. A Dahlia that appealed to us at once 
as the greatest clear yellow exhibition Dahlia to date. Flowers 
attain a wonderful size and depth, and the long, pointed, and 
twisting petals with the beautiful center formation remind one of a 
large exhibition chrysanthemum. A good strong grower that 
attracts attention immediately. Sure to become a great favorite 
and prize-winner. Roots, $1.50 each. Plants, 75 cts. 
MARGRACE. I.D. This Dahlia is unusual in color and unique in 
form, with good high centers. It is a bright scarlet with a tan 
reverse. The petals curl and twist, showing the reverse. Really 
excellent stems, strong and heavy. Certified at Storrs and East 
Lansing. Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
McKAY’S PURITY. M.F.D. Winner of a Certificate of Merit at 
Storrs, 1937, and many firsts. Just the white Miniature Formal 
Decorative needed for every use. Good stems. Prolific and a good 
keeper. Blooms 2% by 1^2 inches. Roots, $5 each. Plants, $1.50. 
M., Miniature 
MILTON J. CROSS. I.D. This magnificent flower certainly stood 
out on the exhibition tables. Face and center of flower are clear 
yellow, with shadings of burnt orange, together with rose a.nd 
coral shadings in the outer petals, giving the flower a glowing 
appearance. Can be grown to exceptional size. Flowers held up 
well out of the foliage on long, straight, stiff stems. Highly recom¬ 
mended. Roots, $5 each. Plants, $2.50. 
MOTHER MAYTROTT. I.D. This is a very outstanding and 
artistic white Informal Decorative'. It is the white the Dahlia 
world has long been waiting for, as it is not temperamental but a 
good grower with healthy, dark foliage, strong, erect stems, and 
remarkable keeping qualities. Holds a perfect center throughout 
the season, besides being a consistently profuse bloomer. The 
blooms are 10 to 11 inches across and of great depth, usually 6 to 
7 inches. One of the first to bloom and will be a winner on the ex¬ 
hibition table in its class. Won the American Home Achievement 
Medal and the Best Bloom in the show at Washington, D. C., fall 
1936, amid keen competition. Scored 85E. and 85C. at Storrs, 1936. 
Roots, $7.50 each. Plants, $2.50. 
MRS. HERBERT O’CONNOR. I.C. The exceptional qualities, 
especially for an Incurved Cactus Dahlia, are long, slender, yet 
erect stems, good size, and unusually bright color, which is soft 
rose-pink, deepening at center. Dark, healthy, open foliage and a 
profuse and continuous bloomer. Should do equally well both in 
the North and South. One of the best Incurved Cactus introduc¬ 
tions in recent years. Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
OPAL. I.D. Will be a great favorite in pastels as it is a soft salmon- 
rose with lighter shadings and centers of light lemon-yellow. This 
beautiful, large, Informal Decorative of unique form is a good 
keeper when cut, especially considering its size, as it easily grows 
11 by 6 inches. This Dahlia should meet competition successfully 
on the show table. Scored 85E. at Mid-West Trial-Grounds, 1936. 
Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
PINK LASSIE. M. Words fail to define this daintiest of pink 
Miniatures. It is soft rose-pink, with lighter shadings, and won 
first in Camden and New York in the Miniature seedling classes 
and numerous arrangement classes. Bush is low-growing and 
blooms are 3J^ inches across. The more blooms you cut, the more 
it produces. The peony-type flowers on long, slender stems add 
to its valued uses. Plants. $1.50 each. 
ROBERT L. RIPLEY. I.D. This variety is, without question, one 
of the big ones. Color, soft Rhodamine-purple with deep rose-pink 
suffusion throughout. Stems are straight and strong. Flowers 
have good substance and keep wonderfully well. An unusual 
quality of this Dahlia is that buds may be cut and will develop 
into full open flowers. Plants, $2.50 each. 
SNOWSPRITE. M.S.-C. Fine for exhibiting and florists’ use, 
growing only about 3 feet tall. Pure white blooms, 3*^ by 2 inches, 
show up wonderfully against the green bushes. White Dahlias 
are splendid cut-flowers and Snowsprite is one of the finest for this 
purpose as well as showing up so well in the garden. Roots, $5 
each. Plants, $1.50. 
TELEVISION. I.D. This Informal Decorative won an American 
Home Achievement Medal in Cleveland and in West Virginia, 
besides scoring 85 at Storrs in 1935. This season it has won an¬ 
other Achievement Medal in West Virginia. Blooms are apricot, 
suffused and shaded cardinal, giving a general tone of reddish 
apricot. Flowers can be grown 12 by 5 inches. Stems, form, foliage, 
and growing habits are all that could be desired. Roots, $5 each. 
Plants, $2. 
THE UNIVERSE. I.D. Seedling of The World, but darker and 
richer in color without the silver shadings. A deep, rich garnet with 
rosy magenta shadings. In form the petals are more pointed and, 
following its parent, the centers are always full through the season, 
stems erect, and bush-growth good. This variety can be recom¬ 
mended where seasons are short, as it develops very quickly and 
blooms early. Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
TREASURE CHEST. S.-C. Too many of our new Dahlias produce 
just a few exhibition blooms, and some of these only toward the 
end of the season. Treasure Chest produces beautiful, perfectly 
formed blooms early, and flowers are still perfect at frost._ There¬ 
fore, it has already won many friends. The blooms grow in water 
and are better after two or three days inside, making it ideal as a 
cut-flower, fine for baskets and all decorations. Soft golden yellow, 
lightly suffused coral-red, similar in color to a light Jane Cowl, but 
richer tones. A very practical Dahlia with long, slender stems. 
Roots, $2.50 each. Plants, $1. 
NOTE.—Tubers will be ready for delivery April 1; Plants from May 1 
