Withered, wilted or bruised petals on the back of the flower will score against your 
entry. Blooms from which such petals have been plucked, will be scored as though the 
bad petals are still present. 
Many exhibitors overlook the importance of good foliage. Leaves showing insect 
injury, diseases or mechanical damage are taken into account by judges. No foliage 
is worse than bad foliage. 
Size alone won't win. In selecting blooms for entry, first select for perfection and 
second, for size. You will find that all-around perfection is quite closely tied up with 
suitable size. 
Remember judges are judges ‘because of years of experience as growers, exhibitors 
and students of dahlia perfection. They know the importance of factors which seem 
trivial to others. Don't criticise them. They make a great many decisions in a very short 
time, and as a whole, have a very small percentage of error. 
If properly approached, most judges will gladly point out the flaws in your entry, 
but do not approach him until he has finished judging. 
Be a good sport, win or lose. “Laugh and the world laughs with you—cry and you 
cry alone." 
Join Your Dahlia Society 
Dahlia societies are the backbone of dahlia interest and merit your active and 
financial support. Nearly every state, and many localities in these states, have societies 
working in the furtherance of general dahlia culture and the dissemination of infor- 
mation regarding all phases of this culture. 

OUR GREENHOUSES, LOCATED ON THE FARM OF ROCKY RIVER DAHLIA GARDEN, 
COVER 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF GROUND. IT IS HERE THAT OUR HIGH GRADE 
DAHLIA PLANTS ARE STARTED. IN THE FOREGROUND OF THE ABOVE PICTURE 
MAY BE SEEN SOME OF OUR COLD-FRAMES IN WHICH OUR DAHLIA PLANTS 
RECEIVE THEIR "FINISHING" PREPARATORY TO SHIPMENT. (NOTE PILES 
OF HOT-BED SASH ALONG THE WINDBREAK.) 
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