CUT-FLOWER DAHLIAS 
Many Dahlias that are good cut-flower varieties 
on our Eastern or Western Coasts are not entirely 
suitable for this purpose in the Midwest, South, or 
the great Central Valleys. 
In our Index, pages 34 and 35, we have designated 
by “C” following the name, those Dahlias we have 
found satisfactory for cutting in the Ohio Valley. 

These are: 
Anna Benedict Jersey’s Dainty 
*Begonia Rose *“Mary Baker 
Berger’s Jewell “Michigan White 
Brite Lites Miss Belgium 
Buckeye Bride Oakleigh Monarch 
“Buckeye Peach *Queen City 
Buckeye Star *Saladin 
*Cometeer *Scarlet Leader 
Honor Bright Scarlet Wonder 
*Golden City Tannenburg 
*Jersey’s Beauty White Abundance The nee eee 
Of the above, the ten we have found best for cut- 
ting are starred ‘*’’. 
This data on cut-flowers is based on the performance of these Dahlias in open farm land 
without irrigation and no more than ordinary fertilizing and cultivation. 
With more sheltered and smaller gardens, and with irrigation, these Dahlias will pro- 
duce more and better flowers, and other varieties not mentioned here may also be satisfactory 
for cutting. 
After sixteen years of experience during which time I have continuously been on the 
search for better cut flower Dahlias, I have concluded that many Dahlia growers miss the 
possibilities of many cut-flower as well as exhibition Dablias because they leave the blooms 
on the plants too long. Unless one visited our patches of Queen City and Begonia Rose very 
early in the morning during July, Aug., Sept. & Oct. he would see no well developed blooms 
at all. They are cut as rapidly as they become two-thirds open, sometimes as many as three 
times a day. This stimulates the plants to produce more flowers and foliage and benefits root 
development too. Harley, Jr., has adopted this practice as far as possible with his exhibition 
garden and with extraordinary results. 
Under this method of growing, sun-fading does not affect the quality of our flowers. The 
early morning cut is shipped that day together with the blooms cut in forenoon and after- 
noon of preceding day. They develop well in our cool cellars and are more acceptable to the 
florist than blooms just cut, especially in hot weather. All flowers for cutting are disbudded 
two or three nodes. Crown flowers of Queen City and Begonia Rose in early July are disbud- 
ded sometimes four nodes down. This produces more canes from base of plant. 
IVARLE Yala nok 
31 
