VICTORY ECLIPSE ID (Wolfe) This is an early and consistent bloomer which fully 
merits the high rating (86) it received.in 1946 at East Lansing Trial Grounds. It's 
a shrimp pink, turning peach pink as the bloom developes; the base of the petals 
and the reverse are canary yellow. A beautiful velvety sheen overlays the flower 
giving it an artificial appearance, especially when the petals curve back to the 
stem. It's in the nine inch class and one of the top dahlias of the year.'' (Eddy) 
On all three Honor Roils. 
Plant $7.50 
Small Types 
ESTELLE M.StC. (Eldridge-Dahliadel) ''Liseran purple, general effect lavender, with 
only Betsy T as competition. Size 3!/44 by I'/> inches; stems 5 to 6 inches; flowers 
held at 45 degrees and to the side; profuse bloomer.'' (Dudley) On Eastern 
Eionor Roll.7 
Plant $2.50 
NORMA JEAN M. StC. (Shepard) ‘Geranium pink flushed buff-yellow at center. 
Petals finely revolute and straight. Size 334 by 2!/ but grows larger if heavily 
fertilized; stems 12 to 15 inches; bush 5 feet. Good substance; profuse.’ (Dudley) 
On Eastern Honor Roll. 
Price net—Plant $2.50 
How To Handle Cut Flowers So They Will Keep 
The life of dahlia blooms after they are cut may be very much prolonged by a few 
simple precautions taken at the time of cutting. 
First of all, cut only FULLY MATURED blooms. Flowers with a withered petal or 
two on the back will keep longer, under similar conditions, than young blooms. If 
desired, the withered petals may be picked, or cut off. Cut a longer stem than will be 
necessary in the vase or container, for which the flowers are wanted. 
Cut the flowers early in the morning before they start to wilt, or in the evening 
after they have revived from the effects of the sun and winds of the day. Make the 
cut with a sharp knife so that the microscopic tubes in the stem, which supply water 
to the flower head, are not crushed. 
Flowers should be cut at least eight hours before it is planned to use them. As soon 
after cutting as possible, the stems should be placed in deep cool water in a cool, 
draughtless and dark part of the basement. When putting the flowers in water in the 
basement, it is to considerable advantage, to trim off an inch or two of the stem under 
water. This cuts off the portion of the stem into which air may have entered the micro- 
scopic tubes and choked off the supply of water passing up to the flower head. When 
the supply of water fails, of course the flowers wilt. 
After the period of “hardening” or ‘finishing’ in the basement, the flowers may be 
used for their intended purpose. In placing them in their permanent containers it is well 
to again trim off a small portion of the stem under water. In fact, this should be done 
each time the stem is out of water for more than a moment. Use only CLEAN water and 
CLEAN containers; factors which are important but often overlooked. Thereafter change 
the water once a day and trim off the stems. Set the containers out of direct sunlight 
and draughts. Follow the foregoing suggestions and you will find the dahlia a long- 
lasting flower. 
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