DAHLIA MAYOR FRANK OTIS 
MAYOR FRANK OTIS (Johns-Salbach 1939) 
I. D. Once in years a fine big, all-around 
dahlia like Jane Cowl appears; once in 
years a new giant, capable of setting a 
new standard for size (like Mrs. Geo. Le 
Boutillier) comes into commerce. But it is 
little short of a miracle when a new and 
bigger giant combines all of the outstand¬ 
ing qualities of both Jane Cowl and Mrs. 
Le Boutillier. Yet the sensational new 
variety. Mayor Frank Otis does that, and 
more. Little wonder that it carried away 
prize after prize and honor roll ranking 
after honor roll ranking. Perhaps the best 
demonstration of the sensational qualities 
of Mayor Frank Otis is shown by the 
statement of a Portland grower, who re¬ 
marked, after seeing air-expressed blooms; 
"The other contestants (for American Home 
Achievement Medal) might as well with- 
dr'aw!" 
Mayor Frank Otis can easily and con¬ 
sistently be grown 12 to 14 inches in 
diameter, with a depth of 6 to 7 inches. We 
have seen even larger blooms. The blos¬ 
soms pictured give a good iluslration of 
its size. The blooms are beautiful in form, 
being composed of innumerable curled and 
twisted petals of very rich golden honey 
yellow, comparable to the colors in the 
well known Jane Cowl. Mayor Frank Otis 
has good keeping qualities. Three blooms 
were sent to the American Dahlia Society 
Show, by air-express (across the entire con¬ 
tinent) being out of water for approximately 
24 hours and arrived in good condition. 
Mayor Frank Otis has received many 
awards: American Home Achievement Medal 
at Portland Dahlia Society Show, Sunset 
Magazine Achievement Medal at Dahlia 
Society of California Show, Silver Medal at 
American Dahlia Society Show, New York. 
On the following honor rolls: Flower 
Grower, House Beautiful. 
This year we have had many reports from 
growers in different sections of the United 
States and all except two of these were 
very favorable. One of the two exceptions 
stated that the blooms were not quite as 
large as he had expected, but stated he 
had gotten a tuber quite late in the season. 
The other said the color was not what he 
expected. It is an established fact that dif¬ 
ferent climatic and soil conditions and time 
of year often produce considerable varia¬ 
tion in color. 
Here are a few reports from reliable 
Eastern Growers: 
From Pennsylvania — "The size of one 
bloom was 12" x 6".and of very good forma¬ 
tion." 
From Ohio — "In regard to Mayor Frank 
Otis that I bought from you, I will say that 
it is the finest dahlia I have ever seen 
PAGE EIGHTEEN 
bloom — fine stem, fine growth, large and 
lots of color. I had them 14" by 8"." 
From Michigan — "You will remember, 
we received the last roots and plants so 
late, that we only got three blooms all 
told. The largest bloom was 10'/z", with¬ 
out any fertilizer. Now I am very much 
pleased with it in every way, except the 
size, the thickness was extra good, about 
6". The bush growth was fine." 
Another from Michigan — "Answering 
your cord regarding Mayor Otis, are happy 
to advise it performed splendidly for us, our 
largest bloom was 14". 
From West Virginia — "Mayor Frank 
Otis had blooms 12 and 14" in diameter, 
very deep with perfect center. The stems 
were perfect and also the foliage. The for¬ 
mation of the bloom is very unusual and 
most attractive." 
From Wisconsin — "I had excellent luck 
with it. I entered Mayor Otis in a class of 
10 most perfect blooms at our State show 
and won first, which was a Silver Trophy. 
This, by the way, is considered a prize 
entry, and a hard one to beat." 
Our stock of this fine new dahlia is 
limited and we will have very few tubers 
to offer to the trade. 15.00 
MARGRACE. I. D. Another very large dah¬ 
lia, a good doer everywhere, and in every 
way. Very vivid, rich red, suffused yellow 
at the very tip. A real champion among 
champions. A "Best Keeper". 75c 
MICHIGAN WHITE, F. D. Another splendid 
new white formal decorative. Not as large 
as Darcy Sainsbury but of good size and 
a very free bloomer. Long stiff stems and 
good keeping qualities. Single plants have 
had as many as 25 blooms open at one 
time. Especially fine for cutting. 2.50 
MISS GLORY. S. C. Perfect semi-cactus in 
form and massive in size. Color — deep 
rich yellow. A free and early bloomer 
with perfect stems — in fact has every quali¬ 
fication necessary to class it with the best 
dahlias grown . 1.50 
MODERN TIMES. F, D. A new one from 
Europe that is sure to become popular. 
Somewhat resembles the well known red 
and white Earle Williams, but the blooms 
are larger and the color is much richer, 
being a vivid orange scarlet, each petal be¬ 
ing tipped white. Flowers are large, good 
stiff stems. A vigorous grower. By far the 
best in this color class. 1.50 
MONARCH OF THE EAST. F. D. This one 
is so big, that almost every visitor to our 
gardens paused to comment on its size and 
unusual color. The blooms are simply im¬ 
mense and are held well above the foliage 
on very strong stems. The plants make vig¬ 
orous growth, but, are only medium tall. 
The color, according to Ridgway, is cad¬ 
mium yellow which is between deep golden 
yellow and orange . 2.00 
MRS. CARL SALBACH (Salbach). F. D. One 
of the most dependable of all dahlias. A 
sturdy, vigorous grower, full of blooms and 
a fine tuber maker. The flowers, which are 
uniformly symmetrical, are a beautiful or¬ 
chid shade and are born on long stout 
stems. The bushes are stately in the gar¬ 
den. One of the "Best Keepers". 40c 
"I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed 
the gladiolus and dahlias I have gro-wn this 
year from the bulbs and seeds I received 
from you. I have never seen any to com¬ 
pare with them. I have learned it doesn't pay 
to plant poor seed." — B. F., New Jersey. 
Carl Salbach ••• 
MAYOR FRANK OTIS 
Side View 
MRS. GEORGE LE BOUTILLIER. F. D. Few 
dahlias have the size, and as rich color 
as Mrs. Boutillier. Can easily be grown to 
12" in diameter. Blooms also have good 
depth. While it has good stems the flowers 
ore so big and heavy that it should be 
well staked. The color is a rich deep vel¬ 
vety red. Exceedingly popular . 75c 
MRS. E. BRADLEY. C. We have long been 
in need of good true white English cactus. 
Mrs. E. Bradley fills this need. The petals 
are long, narrow and incurved. The blooms 
are of good size and are freely produced 
throughout the season. Centers do not 
come open. Fine stiff stems . 75c 
MRS. WARREN DEE MILLER (Salbach) I. D. 
A splendid large white informal decorative 
which could almost be classed as a hybrid 
cactus. We introduced this fine white sev¬ 
eral years ago and sold so low on stock 
that we did not offer it for several years. 
This dahlia has good growing habits, has 
finely formed blooms, long stiff stems and 
is free flowering . 60c 
OAKLEIGH MONARCH. F. D. One of the 
very best reds — best described as between 
red and brick-red. Fine habit. Very even, 
formal shape . i.QO 
PACIFIC SPLENDOR. I. D. A very large in¬ 
formal decorative in true pastel shade — 
the color comes in the Phlox pinks. Was 
av/arded the Achievement Medal and re¬ 
ceived three trial garden certificates and 
many other prizes. Very large blooms and 
yet not coarse. Ideal plant growth. For 
those who prefer pastel colors. Pacific Splen¬ 
dor should have a special appeal. 2.00 
PACIFICA. See page 15. 
