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Single Dahlia

Dahlia variabilis.

FASHION brings into operation principles that are at once shallow, subtle, and complex. Previous to the year 1880 single dahlias were not in high repute, and, in fact, were scarcely known. Then, like some sky-rockets properly made and effectually lighted, they soared upwards, shedding new light on society, and, by a false glitter, filling the sky with imitation stars. Well, "It is an ill wind," &c. The suddenly-acquired popularity of the single dahlias drew attention to the double dahlias, which at that time were under a cloud, and immediate results were the formation of the National Dahlia Society, and the holding of a series of annual exhibitions in the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, for the advancement, not of the doubles only, but for all kinds of dahlias, including the pompons and lilliputians, that are so signally serviceable for decorative purposes. Thus the single dahlias have accomplished some good in their new career, and while so employed have made a triumph of another kind, and one considered to be on the verge of the impossible: they have given society a new pleasure!

The dahlia was introduced from Mexico in 1789, and was named after Dahl, the Swedish botanist. There happens, however, to be a genus of fabaceous plants named Dalea, and, to prevent confusion, the new arrival from Mexico was renamed Georgina. But Dahl prevailed; the confusion that was feared never happened, and the disused name Georgina is still at the service of the botanists when events shall make excuse for using it. The first species of dahlia introduced was that called superflua, which does not mean that the plant is, in colloquial terms, "superfluous," but that it belongs to the Linnaean section of composites called Syngenesia superflua, in which the florets of the exterior differ from those of the centre of the flower. This same Dahlia superflua has been renamed variabilis and crocata, the first of these two being now generally adopted as indicating the variable nature of the plant to which we are indebted for our magnificent series of garden dahlias. There is no risk incurred in the broad statement that the dahlia is entitled to stand in the very front rank of garden flowers. There is nothing easier to grow; there is nothing to which it may be properly compared that so rarely fails to satisfy; and there is absolutely nothing that could take its place for the same season, were it blotted out of existence. A plantation of dahlias will keep flowering most abundantly for nearly four months; and even in the middle of November they will still be bright and full of flower, and will so continue until a decided frost occurs, which, of course, will effectually close their gay career.

To grow dahlias for exhibition demands skill and the enthusiasm that delights in conquering difficulties. To grow dahlias for delight is such an easy matter, that it is enough to plant the roots in April or May, and do nothing more but keep down weeds and wait patiently for mountains of flowers. The dahlia is, in fact, a flower for everybody, and any soil or situation will produce dahlias; for dahlias share with chrysanthemums the honour of brightening back yards in smoky towns, these two beauties being the flowers of all flowers in smokeland. To this it should be added that in a rich soil--and it can scarcely be too rich--and in country air, dahlias attain to a perfection that is not possible under less favourable conditions; and thus we present the two sides of dahlia culture, with the happy conviction that they are both bright sides, and differ but in degrees of brightness. The routine of dahlia culture consists in starting the roots into growth in heat in March, and striking cuttings of the shoots produced to provide plants for planting out at the end of May. They should be put at from two and a half to five feet apart, according to the relative vigour of the varieties, the grand show class requiring a space of at least four to five feet from plant to plant. They must be well supported with stakes against the wind, or they must be made to support themselves by a clever twist that snaps but does not break the stem, and compels them to sit on the ground, as it were, and form spreading bush-like instead of tree-like masses. When in autumn frost has blackened the tops, the roots are lifted and stored in dry earth in any shed or cellar, in the same way as potatoes, for they are as hardy as potatoes, and need no more care for their safe keeping.

Since the single dahlias have become popular, many persons have taken to raise dahlias from seeds, a practice that was left entirely to the florists previously. This is a very simple proceeding. The seeds are sown in light, rich soil, in February, and the young plants are raised on a hot-bed or in a warm plant-house, and have careful nursing to be stout and strong for planting out in June. Dahlias grow slowly for some time after being planted, and all the slugs and snails in the parish will scent them, and taste them if allowed. One settled mode of protecting them is to provide a crop of lettuces on the ground, for the vermin will feast on these and leave the dahlias alone, and in due time the lettuces, having served their purpose, may be taken away.