558 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Dec., 1901. 
Horticulture 
HOW TO GROW DAHILIAS. 
By W. SOUTTER, Inspector of State Farms. 
The dahlia was imported into England from Spain by the Marchioness of 
Bute in 1789. The plant was originally a native of Mexico. 
The dahlia of the gardens to-day is, of course, much different to that of 
the original species. he gardener is responsible for the endless number of 
varieties that are now to be found in cultivation. The dahlia may be divided 
into four distinct classes—namely, Show, Fancy, Cactus, and Pom-pom varieties. 
Of each class there are numerous variations, both in the habit of growth, form 
of flower, and arrangement in colour. 
Characteristics of a Show Flower.—Viewed from the front, the flower should 
be a perfect circle ; the petals thick and stiff, smooth on the edges, and round 
and broad at the ends, slightly cupped, not showing the under surface. The 
rows should be regular, each forming a perfect circle with no spaces between ; 
petals uniform in size, of same shape; and there should be no crumpled 
appearance. 
Viewed from the side, the bloom should form two-thirds of a ball. The 
petals should rise one above the other in regular rows and form a perfect 
imbrication like scales on a fish, only curved inwards at the edges. 
The centre, to be perfect, should have the unexpanded petals lying with 
their points towards the highest point of the flower, meeting regularly at 
the apex. 
ieee dahlias closely resemble the show class, and should possess all the 
characteristics of that section, except in the matter of colouring ; the show sorts 
being all self colours, while the fancy are striped, blotched, mottled, and parti- 
coloured. 
Pom-poms.—This beautiful little group of dahlias should possess all the 
qualities of their larger growing brethren both as regards form and colour. , 
Cactus Dahlias.—As a florist’s flower, this class is head and shoulders 
above either of the above sorts. The cricket-ball form is entirely lost in this 
group, the flower consisting of large irregular-shaped petals of almost every 
shade of colour and diversity of form. Some possess only a single ray of 
petals; others, semi-double, while some are quite double, although flat in form. 
Having thus briefly described the flowers, let us for a moment attend to 
the cultural side of the dahlia. 
. The ground in which the dahlia loves to grow is a nice friable loam, 
enriched with well-rotted dung, with an admixture of decomposed vegetable 
matter, as leaf-mould, decayed turf, or even straw. Manure or matter of any 
kind should never be applied to the growing plants while in a ferment stage, 
as rapidly-decomposing matter is fatal to the young roots by contact. 
The land should be deeply worked—say 18 inches deep, 6 inches of rotted 
manure put on top, and dug in a spit deep. It is always preferable to have the 
ground prepared some time prior to planting; the ground should be well 
drained, and, if a clayey subsoil obtains, a free admixture of coal ashes will 
improve conditions. 
When planting, do not place the tubers too deep—2 inches of soil over the 
crown will be ample. Should dry weather obtain when planting, water liberally 
and mulch with straw or grass. 
