The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-09-18
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D.AHL|AS :.
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Dah.ia Culture
| MRS s. a. READlE
MRS s. q. RsADLE

The dahlia family Is one, OF The
largest and most complete known TO
the florist. 1t is composed OF many
distinct types. Each of these types
is subdivided into innumerable va
rieties. They represent almost every
combination and shade of colo,ing,
except blue, found in nature. How
ever, purple and cerse are common
colors. The following incomplete
classification will suggest that we
have in the dahlla family practically
an unlimited number of varieties from
which to choose.
The Cactus type is characterized by
long narrow pointed tubular and
twisted petals of graded length. They
have become very popular and de-
servedly may be classed with tea
roses. Hybridizers the world over
have been devoting extra attention to
them, SO that the improvement is very
marked in both form and coloring
This class shows more variation and
pleasing combinations than Is found
in the others. The flowers are borne
airily on long STEMS. are lighter and
more loosely formed and are conse-
quently of the greatest value for cut
flowers.
The decorative dahlias come next to
the cactus, or in some cases equal It
for cutting. They have vary large,
gracefully formed flowers with broad
petals. Some varieties grow very
high and stately plants filled with
ors.
n, i II.
gardens have quilted petals and the
flowers range In size from large to
medium. They are stiff and formal
in arrangement.
The collarette type Is rare and
striking and distinguished by the pc
culiar development of the stamens at
the base of the main petals. They
become in fact secondary petals in
appearance. They are entirely dis
tinct from the rest of the flowers in
form and color. and form a frill or
collar around the center The tow-
er is simple or semi-double.
The peony-fowered dahlia is a
class new to American patronage, but
Is given much credit in Holland. The
flowers are large and bold in form;
The pophon dahlias are of medium
or small size, compact and resembles
the show class.
The single dahlias resemble the cle-
mats and are sometimes called Gle
matis-fowered.
The culture OF dahlias is simple and
easy. Select strong bulbs and plant
in this locality. in the last of April
or after the soil begins to lose the
chill of winter. Water freely ami
keep cultivated. Give them the Same
care you would potatoes and they will
reward you with remarkable pro-
fusion OF bloom. Nowhere can dah-
las be grown to greater perfection
than In North Yakima and this val
ley. The writer challenges the skep-
tic to inpsect our own dahlia beds as
proof of this statement
For late summer and autumn fiow-
ers they are unexcelled Ranging in
color from the delicate shades rival
ing an orchid to the most dazzling
brllliancy. With their continuous and
abundant bloom, they can fill the re-
qurements of the most artistic per-
son for outdoors or indoor decora-
ton. The best class of dahlas Is
becoming increasingly popular. as
people realize the possibilities of these
flowers. They are now being used on
all occasions and for all decorative
purposes. Even brides carry them 10
the altar and tea roses must now ad-
NIT them rivals. In the future parks
Of North Yakima they are destined 10
add beauty.
MRS. S. B. READLE.