Catalog of Grand Prix Dahlias 1921

To my many friends and patrons in the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Central America, Europe, China and Japan: GREETING

Due to your kind patronage, the Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm is assured of success, and because of your laudations, it has become famous throughout a great portion of the civilized world. And thereby the dream of an invalid has come true. Will the many interested readers of this catalog who have expressed curiosity concerning the Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm and Bessie Boston, accept the following as a reply to their inquiries?

In a few years, I found it necessary to enlarge the farm, and planted more acres to dahlias. The increased work, making it necessary to devote the entire day to the farm, brought health in its train. A few years more of effort saw the farm established on a paying basis.

I selected the name, “Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm,’ because of a famous dahlia named in my honor years previously by Mr. E. Leedham of Santa Cruz. My father was Joseph Boston of Santa Cruz. I mention the last named fact because many people believe I came from Massachusetts and have assumed the name for business purposes.

The foregoing is a brief history of the Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm.

From customers there have reached me this year, more complimentary letters than in all the years since the Farm was established. Many of these kind letters were from patrons living in foreign countries.

The receipt of these missives has impelled me to depart this year from the style of previous catalogs, in that I append two letters of encomium that express appreciation of the dahlias grown by me. These letters were among the many of similar tenor that I have received.

The first of these letters is from John Lewis Childs, who wrote from Floral Park, New York, referring to the dahlia I named for him:

“I think it probably is the most remarkable and perhaps, the finest dahlia in cultivation.”

Later, Mr. Childs won with this blossom, the first prize for the best fancy specimen exhibited in the New York Dahlia Show.

The second letter I quote from, came from Arthur C. Phillips of Belle Mead, New Jersey. Mr. Phillips is a life member of the American Dahlia Society. In his letter, under date of August 9th, 1920, he says:

“I take pleasure in writing and likewise it will give pleasure to read:

“Osam Shudow bloomed yesterday. It is all and even more than you said in your catalog, It measures nine inches in diameter and really it is the most beautiful dahlia for color and size I ever saw.”

Unsought publicity continues to add to the fame of the Bessie Boston Dahlia Farm.

The Gaumont News recently filmed a picture of the Farm, taken in November, even after the heavy rains and frost had done much to detract from the beauty of the field of blossoms.

The Sunset Magazine, published in San Francisco, in its issue of September, 1920, contained an illustrated article about the Farm and myself, in its department under the caption of “Interesting Westerners.”

Then the Newspaper Enterprise Association widely disseminated another news article, which the Florists’ Exchange republished with complimentary addenda, also dealing with the Farm and its owner.

A word of advice on growing dahlias: Do not be discouraged if a dahlia from any locality does not do well the first season it is planted. Many varieties need to be acclimated. A second trial will prove the truth of this counsel.

ELIZABETH W. LYMBERY,

Formerly Bessie Boston.

ORDER EARLY—Early orders are solicited to prevent disappointment in case the variety desired should be sold.

FORWARDING—We ship tubers at the planting time unless otherwise requested. We prepay all retail orders when accompanied with remittance.

GUARANTEE—We guarantee that all dahlia tubers or plants sent are true to name.

SUBSTITUTION—We do not substitute unless expressly noted, or by permission; but it is well to mention a few varieties that you are willing to have substituted should some of those selected by you be sold out.

PRICES—The following prices are for field grown divided tubers.

CULTURE —In every box we ship, we enclose full instructions for growing.

The flowers are large and full, with loosely formed, lone flat petals. Some of the latest introductions have a remarkably striking appearance, and are certainly valuable for cutting or for decoration of large beds or borders, possessing such necessary qualifications as freedom of flowering, combined with size of the blooms and attractive coloring.

KITTIE DUNLAP (Bessie Boston)—Is not only a beauty, but has every characteristic which endears it to a dahlia grower. Blooms freely all season, has excellent keeping qualities, long firm stems, inimense size, and great substance. If this dahlia did not have all these admirable qualities, the coloring would make it popular, as it is of the delightful shade of the American Beauty rose. The petals are broad but have a slight tendency to roll, the lone stems are practically without leaves and we recommend it highly for commercial purposes. $5.00.

LA MASCOTTE (Bessie Boston)—Dahlia growers are always looking for something different in color or formation and nothing gives more joy than to find a seedling which is unusual. This dahlia gave us a thrill when the first bud began to unfold, and we have watched it with interest ever since. The unique coloring is a two-toned effect as the petals are a silvery white with a deep violet reverse. The medium height bushes produce myriads of blooms on excellent stems. In foggy locations, La Mascotte, may take a peony form, but it is the coloring, not the type which makes it alluring. $2.50.

MRS. MALCOLM WHITMAN (Bessie Boston)-—Attractive coloring of old rose suffused with lavender and softening to yellow at the center. This shading was particularly attractive under artificial light and the blooms were in demand for table decorations. Admirable, long, firm stems, hold masses of flowers aloft the entire season. $3.00.

RICHMOND (Snell-Bessie Boston)—A big rich crimson bloom whose broad, flat petals have an uncommon velvety surface. Stems long and stiff, blooms freely, and is an excellent bright red for cutting. Believing the public was tired, as we were, of the many old time reds, we tried out this seedling in 1919, and as a consequence bought the entire stock from Mrs. Snell and adopted her name, Richmond. Mr. Alex. Waldie of Santa Paula, California, fell in love with this dahlia, he tried it out for us, and wrote: ‘It is no ordinary dahlia, a good red is yet to be found and Richmond may be it, but 1 think the price is too low.’’ But as Richmond is four years old and we have a bountiful stock, it is against our policy to place a high price on it. $2.50.

ROOKWOOD (Bessie Boston)—-Goes on the market this season as a prize-winner of two years’ standing. This dahlia was entered at the 1919 San Francisco Show for the best six blooms of a three year old not heretofore exhibited, and won the prize offered by Mrs. Samuel, H. Taft, president of the Cincinnati Garden Club. Permission was then given to name the dahlia ‘‘Rookwood” after the famous pottery company bearing that name. Much to the disappointment of the public it was not offered for sale last year. At the last dahlia show in San Francisco, Mr. Wareham of the Rookwood Pottery Company, offered a prize which Rookwood won. This decorative is of an entirely new shade of pink and of course difficult to accurately describe. The color is more like the popular Mrs. Charles Russell rose than any flower in commerce, it is pure bright cerise rose, without the faintest touch of magenta, and is as beautiful under artificial light as the Russell rose. The flowers are immense, with good depth, and are held aloft on splendid straight stems. The bushes grow low and spreading and are always a mass of blooms. The blossoms are true decorative type all the season and we never had a more distinctive coloring in the warden. The only place Rookwood was grown outside of San Mateo was in the Taft garden at Gimeinnati and Mrs. Taft threatens to discard all other dahlias as being unworthy to grow beside Rookwood, at least this was mentioned in a letter recently received from Cincinnati. Owing to large sales during the garden season, and a limited stock, only a comparatively small number of orders ¢an be taken for this variety. Green plants in May, $10.00. Roots, April delivery, $20.00.

SHUDOW’S LAVENDER (Bessie Boston)—No picture will do justice to this dahlia, for its color is changeable in different lights and seasons. The friends who compared the colored cut with the growing flowers said the picture did not do the blossoms justice. It was Mr. Shudow’s favorite seedling of 1917 and hence the name. There has long been a searcity of a good lavender decorative which would be true to type throughout the season in any location. This decorative was successfully tried in 1920 by friends in Los Angeles, Trenton, N. J., and San Francisco. We exhibited it for the first time at the September San Francisco show and it easily carried off the first prize for the best fifty blooms. In Trenton it also took a prize. The very large bloom is a silvery lavender slightly shading to white. In hot weather, the white will be more marked, but as the season advances will almost entirely disappear. The stem is absolutely perfect, long and stiff, and holds erect the big blossom. It will bloom constantly and freely from early to late season and never show a center, and also has excellent keeping qualities as a cut fiower. One of its most unusual features is the attractive, lace-like foliage. The plant is a very tall and robust grower and in Trenton reached the height of eight feet. April delivery, $10.00.

BILLIE BURKE—A soft yellow of large size and beautiful formation. The many petals are long and narrow, forming a blossom of good substance. Blooms freely. $1.00.

CARMENCITA (Bessie Boston)—The most graceful and beautiful of the new decoratives. The yellow blossom is regularly striped red. The plant is a dwarf grower but forms a fine compact bush which is a mass of flowers all season. The formation of the enormous. Flowers are uncommon and graceful. The stems are all to be desired and no blossom will last longer when cut. $1.50.

CHIEFTAIN (Slocombe)—A favorite fancy, of good size and depth, crimson maroon striped pink. 50c.

COMSTOCK (Bessie Boston)—Is a new type which we introduced. The petals are slightly fluted, forming an unusually beautiful flower of great substance. It was the biggest, yellowest flower in the entire garden last fall and instantly attracted attention. Of course, the stem is excellent and it blooms freely. $2.00.

COPPER—(Doolittle)—This tall growing variety is beautiful because of its odd coloring of copper shading to bronze. 75c.

DARKEYE—Flesh pink, with a dark center like an eye before the flower is fully developed. A large, splendid blossom with depth and admirable stem. $1.00.

DELICE—Finest, pink, perfect in every way; one of the best dahlias. 50c.

DR. TEVIS (Pelicano)—A magnificent. blossom of a blend of copper, old rose and old gold. Immense flower with the best possible stem. A Californian which it is a pleasure to boost. Has a tremendous record as a prize winner. $1.00.

DUSKY PRINCESS (Bessie Boston)—The big blooms were unique, as the petals had a corded effect produced by faint veins on the back. Fine stem and has great freedom in producing blooms. An absolutely new effect. $1.50.

ED LACHMAN (Bessie Boston)—A soft blending of cream, tan and yellow. A very large bloom which will occasionally be too heavy for the stem which has a slight curve, but, on the whole is a lovely cut flower. When late in the season the center opens, this will be a most attractive peony. A popular blossom, named for a prominent and popular San Francisco merchant. $2.00.

FRAU HOLTZENDORF—A lovely pink, shading to cream, with fine stems. Good for all purposes. 75c

FUTURITY (West)—The most beautiful dahlia of its coloring, a deep old-rose. The blossom is large and regularly formed. Stem is good and grows well above the foliage, and it is always in demand as a cut flower. Blooms freely and is good for every purpose. 75c.

GREAT BRITAIN—Deep mauve or lilac, distinet form and large size, fine for cutting; very distinct coloring. 75c.

HENRY MAIER (Maier)—A seedling of Minnie Burgle with its good . characteristics. Large size, good stem, free-flowering and good lasting qualities when cut. A beautiful shade of deep yellow. 50c.

HORTULANUS FIET (Hornsveld)—One of the loveliest dahlias that ever came from Holland. The color is a creamy-salmon shading to soft yellow. The flowers are large, the formation and stems both excellent. IF ree-flowering. 50c.

JACQUEMINOT (Bessie Boston)—The warm, vich crimson of the rose of the same name. Size large, stem stiff. The brilliant and uncommon coloring has popularized this dahlia. $1.00.

JANE SELBY (Bessie Boston)—This dahlia scarcely needs an introduction, it has scored so many successes, not only in California, but in the East. Every time it is exhibited it captures a first prize in both professional and amateur entries. The blossom is as large as any dahlia grown, a delicate mauve pink of great substance and beautiful formation. The stem is wonderful, long and stiff, and the flower grows well above the foliage. It is a cut fiower par excellence as it has marvelous lasting qualities. $1.00.

JOHN LEWIS CHILDS (Bessie Boston)—The very best “fancy” of any type. Picture a yellow, suffused, splashed and striped with brilliant scarlet, and generally tipped white, and you have this new decorative. All fancy or bi-colored dahlias occasionally have a flower of a solid color. In this case the red blossom is tipped white. The size is immense, the stem is stiff, and no dahlia bloomed more frequently or lasted longer when cut. John McLaren, the superintendent of the famous Golden Gate Park of San Francisco, pronounced this decorative the finest dahlia in the Richmond District Show in 1919. $2.50.

MABEL B. TAFT (Bessie Boston)—‘‘Created a furor at the San Francisco show, in 1919,” to quote the American Florist. It not only made the hit of the occasion, but was the only dahlia exhibited by itself which won a gold medal. This award was given for the best fifty blooms in the fiercest competition in the show. 

PIERRE LE BLOUD (Nonin)—An attractive fancy maroon tipped white. The excellent stem, free-flowering habit, and odd colorings make this a favorite cut flower. 50c.

PRIDE OF CALIFORNIA (Lohrman)—This is the best red decorative for all purposes. It has size, stem and splendid keeping qualities when cut. We can cheerfully recommend this Californian. $1.00.

PRINCESS PAT (McWhirter)—This is a charming flower of old rose. Early in the season the petals will be splashed with red. Blossoms are large and carried on excellent stems. A San Francisco prize winner which we recommend. $2.50.

PRISCILLA (Hodgens)—-A 1920 introduction which the originator asked us to try in the sunshine and heavy soil of San Mateo. We grew it successfully and can highly recommend it. A big decorative of a pleasing combination of white, deepening to pink. The petals are broad and flat, giving the flower good substance. The bushes grow low and are prolific bloomers. As the season advances the flowers will increase in size and beauty. $5.00.

SHOWER OF GOLD (Bessie Boston)—The demand is for dahlias of uncommon coloring, especially for those of gold and apricot shades. This large decorative is a brilliant yellow, deepening to soft apricot towards the center. A new type, with slightly fluted petals. Very strong stem and blooms freely. $2.00.

SULPHRUREA—Sulphur yellow with long cactus-like petals. 50c.

SUNSHINE (Kessing)—The most brilliant scarlet, faintly tipped yellow. Soft, exquisite formation, splendid large exhibition variety and striking in the garden, but if you grow your dahlias where it is warm, give this variety a shaded locality. $1.50.

THE GRIZZLY (Burns)—An enormous flower of deep maroon with great depth. A prolific bloomer with lone stiff stems. A Californian it is a pleasure to boost and recommend. $2.50.

THEODORE VAIL (Bessie Boston)—A color much in demand, old gold shading to apricot. The stem is long and straight and borne well above the foliage, making it an admirable cut flower. $1.50.

T. KUNIKIYO (Bessie Boston)—Sunset colors of red and yellow. A large deep decorative which grows low but blooms freely all season on fine stems. This was named in honor of one of our Honolulu customers. We consider this a great improvement on Beatrice Slocombe. $1.50.

W. D’ARCY RYAN (Bessie Boston)—Named for the man who made the P. P. I. E. famous. A striking fancy of violet purple heavily tipped white. A characteristic of this dahlia is that it is always tipped white. It never has a blossom on the bush of solid color like the usual fancies. Stem is good, the size is large and it is free-flowering. $1.50.

The cactus dahlia will always be a favorite with many people because of its unique formation of petals, which make it look like a chrysanthemum. The petals are long, narrow, pointed, twisted or fluted. The hybrid cactus is becoming popular; it is a large bold flower, of coarse petals.

American Cactus is a new type. The petals are coarser than the English exhibition but not heavy enough to form a hybrid. Good stems feature strongly in this new class.

BONNIE G. (Bessie Boston)—American cactus of the scarcest shade in dahlias, a true pink, paler than Delice, and deeper than E. F. Hawes. The stem is fair, and this variety will be good for cutting outside of San Francisco where the constant fogs have a tendency to weaken stems. Bonnie G. is a tall grower and produces very large flowers with great freedom. To a lover of pink flowers, nothing so dainty and pretty has been offered since France introduced Delice. The name should indicate the goodness of this American cactus, as the original is the well known, clever, advertising and publicity woman of the famous Palace Hotel, San Francisco. $5.00.

ELISE DREXLER (Bessie Boston)—Hybrid cactus, one of the loveliest of the new introductions which everybody wanted before it was established. A deep velvety maroon bloom of huge size, born on top of a straight long stem well above the foliage. ‘The inner petals roll very closely and form almost a star in the center which is closed throughout the season. Has always produced plenty of attractive blooms. $2.50.

ELSIE OLIVER (Bessie Boston)—If you can visualize an enormous creamy pink hybrid cactus, this is Elsie Oliver. Pink dahlias are scarce, as we all well know, and this is a delicate new pastel blend of pink and cream. We wanted to display a colored cut of Elsie Oliver, but found it impossible to produce one. We find that it is just as difficult to write a description. As nearly as we can describe the coloring, it is a creamy pink shading to cream in the center. But while the color is an exquisite feature, a blossom of any color would be a prize winner with its immense size and formation. The type is a perfect hybrid cactus, with lone evenly rolled petals and a good center. We have the impression that it is the largest variety of its type on the market. The branching bushes were laden with blooms all season and attracted most unusual attention and admiration. The stems are good. This dahlia has never been grown away from our farm as our stock in 1919 was small. We do not believe in propagation, so our stock is still limited, which explains the price. No green plants. April delivery. $25.00.

EVEREST (Bessie Boston)—American type cactus, recommended only for cool climates or late planting, for it will burn in the hot sunshine. The large, well formed flower is white, shading to yellow towards the center. Stem good. It bloomed so freely in our garden that the row looked like a snow bank. $2.00.

GLADYS BATES (Bessie Boston)—-American cactus, one of the popular new dahlias in contrasting shades. Immense, heavy blooms of incurved petals of tan, with a reverse of rose. The oddity of coloring is all that is needed to make this dahlia attractive, but it has every good point as well. Perfect form, closed center, long, straight stems, and a profusion of blooms. This dahlia is but slightly removed from the English class and some people dispute our classification for it of American cactus. $3.50.

KENILWORTH (Bessie Boston)—-A hybrid cactus very similar to George Walters in everything but color. Grows medium height on branching bushes, has a wealth of flowers for the entire season. The color, “Ah, there’s the rub,” it quite baffles our descriptive powers, and no two people who saw it, could agree on the color. One said it was the deepest shade of old rose, another said, ashes of rose, but we think it is an odd red with a bronze suffusion. Combined with autumn leaves, this dahlia made a wonderful bouquet and a table decoration. $2.50.

SPA (Bessie Boston)—This hybrid cactus is a prolific and continuous producer of immense flowers. The bushes are very dwarfed and should be planted in the outer row of a dahlia patch. The blossom is of the deepest shade of lilac or mauve and stands erect on a fine stem. Local growers welcomed this introduction as new colors were needed for their exhibits of this popular type. Lovers of mauve will find the dahlia particularly good for cutting. $2.50.

AMBER GLOW (Bessie Boston)—A cactus of the highest English type, petals are lone, narrow and straight. Size is immense. Stem is as good as its parent Pierrot. The color is bright yellow, deepening to pale orange at the center. An incomparable exhibit blossom which is also good for cutting. $3.00.

EK. F. HAWES (Stredwick)—Every flower of this exceptionally fine cactus is carried on a stem as hard and straight as a cane. The color is a clear delicate pink, a shade always in demand as a cut flower. The plant grows tall and is covered with blossoms. 75c.

F. W, FELLOWES (Stredwick)—Always a prize winner, no exhibit table or garden is perfect without this splendid dahlia. The blossom is huge and composed of long, narrow, straight petals. The color 1s unusual, orange or terra-cotia. The stem is long and straight. 50c.

GEORGE WALTERS—Always a prize winner. This is a monster hybrid cactus of lovely coloring, pinkish salmon shading to a yellow base. The blossom is freely produced on long: stems. The flower has petals of great substance, and is good for any purpose. A California standard. 75c.

GLADYS SHERWOOD (Broomall)—-The biggest white dahlia ever introduced. A hybrid cactus with good stems which we recommend for garden or exhibition. $10.00.

GOLDEN WEST (Broomall)—American cactus of great merit because of its size, coloring, stem and keeping qualities when cut. The color is uncommon, a striking old gold, 50c.

MAGNIFICIENT (Broomall) —Bronzy-pink, a color always in demand for cutting. Flowers are large and stem good, especially recommended for a warm climate. American type. $1.50.

MATADOR—A fascinating flower of great size and the most beautiful shade of old rose. The petals are curiously cleft. Scarce. $1.00.

MILTON EDWARDS (Bessie Boston)—This is what we are all looking for, an entirely new shade. The odd new coloring is best described as henna. Then there is no hybrid cactus like it in formation. The great number of long, claw shaped petals, incurve and interlace in an irregular but beautiful manner and build up splendid specimens of this popular type. Enormous flowers are borne well above the foliage on long rigid stems. A most generous bloomer and a flower which will never show center. $3.00.

MINAMOTO (Minamoto-Bessie Boston)—A bright velvety scarlet hybrid cactus of enormous size and fine depth. Keeps its center throughout the entire season. Sometimes you see a dahlia and want it. Well, we watched this dahlia with longing in our heart for two seasons, and then the entire stock became ours. Blooms freely on a tall growing, sturdy plant. Flower stem is long and stiff and the flower keeps well when cut. We consider this the finest and most brilliant scarlet of any type of dahlia. Occasionally this extraordinary dahlia will bear hybrid cactus and decorative blooms on the same bush, both of the highest quality. $2.50.

MISS STREDWICK (Stredwick)—-A fine exhibition variety of pale pink. 50c.

MRS. C. COOPER (Burrell)—This is one of the largest cactus grown. The florets are of immense length, slightly and regularly incurved. The color is a brownish tan. T75c.

MRS. EDNA SPENCER (Spencer)—An American cactus. Color, lavender shading to white. Blossoms large with strong stems. Free flowering and nothing better for cutting as it lasts a week. We love this California dahlia and cannot recommend it too highly. $1.50.

MRS. MARGARET STREDWICK (Stredwick)—An incurved English cactus which is very fine for exhibiting. The coloring is a combination of pink tints. Stem pendant, $2.00.

MRS. RICHARD LOHRMANN (Lohrmann)-—A most excellent dahlia for all purposes. Pure golden yellow hybrid cactus. $1.50.

MRS. W. E. ESTES (Estes)—Is another Californian which has made good in diverse climates. A pure snow white hybrid. Large blooms borne aloft on a stiff stem. Blooms profusely and never burns in the sunshine. Recommended for all purposes. $2.00.

NEW YORK—Orange-yellow shading to bronzy-salmon, large. 50c.

NIBELUNGENHORT—A lovely hybrid of old rose. A free bloomer of good size and stem. Always in demand as a cut flower. 50c.

NORMAN (West)—A cactus with every good quality, formation, stem, color, size and free flowering. The immense fiower is composed of many exceedingly fine petals which give it great depth. The color is a fine scarlet. Good for cutting, exhibiting or garden. Dwarf grower. T5c.

PIERROT (Stredwick)—So different from any other dahlia that it always attracts attention. The color is a deep amber, boldly tipped white. The striking blossoms are very large and the fiorets are incurved, 50c.

RHEINISCHER FROHSINN (Goos-Koenemann)—<A most wonderful cactus; its erect stem, large size and beautiful coloring of shaded pink make it a great favorite as a cut flower. A mass of blooms all season. 50c.

RUTH GLEADELL (Gleadell-Seal)—Soft yellow shading to pink. Good stem, large size, free blooming. Hybrid. $1.00.

SAN FRANCISCO (Lohrmann)—Large bloom of the hybrid cactus order. yellow. Firm erect stem. 75c.

SNOWDRIFT (Howard & Smith)—A prime favorite with us. A very large, finely formed, white cactus, With a good stem, and wonderful keeping quality. A 1919 introduction which we recommend for any use. This novelty from Southern California is classified there as English cactus, but with us belongs to the new American type. 2.50.

THE CLAREMONT (Salbach)—A big fluffy pink dahlia of unusual formation. Classified by the originator as hybrid cactus. Won first prize in Oakland for the best 25 blooms. $2.50. 

THE EAGLE (Burns)—A large flower of sulphur yellow. A hybrid cactus which we grew to perfection last season. Good stem and good keeper, free bloomer. $2.50. 

THE QUAKER—White, shading to pink. Stem pendant. 50c.

TOM LUNDY (Fenton)—With us this has been an exceptional hybrid. The bold crimson flower measured ten inches across and was full to the center. This is a dahlia which grows best in a heavy soil and in the full sunshine. The excellent stem grew well above the foliage; a free bloom. 75c.

YELLOW KING (Hornsveld)—Large pale yellow hybrid with splendid stem. A good cut flower. It will bloom freely if several tubers are planted. 40c.

The peony dahlia is a recent introduction to the dahlia family, and deservedly most popular. The flower is large, semi-double, and usually shows the golden center. It is always free-flowering, and for that reason is most beautiful growing. The long, straight stems make it an excellent cutting variety. The small, curling petals clustered around the center give the flower character. The colors are marvelous, and every shade on a painter’s palette is produced in the peony dahlia except blue.

BLUE BIRD (Bessie Boston)—-A 1919 introduction which was sold out in the garden, so is cataloged this year for the first time. Quite an exceptional color of the deepest tone of mauve or lilac, which in certain lights has a bluish sheen. A simply huge blossom held on stems lone and as stiff? as bamboo. The bushes are always laden with blooms, one of the most striking dahlias in the garden. We do not know of any dahlia of just this coloring. Everybody who was fortunate enough to grow it last season, overwhelmed us with compliments. $2.50.

VICTORY (Bessie Boston)—It would seem rather a big boast to claim that at last we have a better dahlia than the splendid English peony, Liberty. Just to be sure we were justified in our supposition, we held this peony for four years’ trial. Victory is nearly twice the size of its parent, Liberty. It differs merely in size and a very slight variation in color, which would pass unnoticed unless the two blossoms were put side by side. The coral red color is a trifle brighter in Victory and does not burn in hot sunshine. Stems are good and constant blossoms are good features of this flower. $2.50.

AGNES BOSTON (Bessie Boston)—Absolutely withdrawn for stock.

KANGELICA (Bessie Boston)—This seedling of Hortalanus Fiet has all of its excellent qualities, such as beauty, stiff stem and free flowering. It is deeper in color than its parent and is more of a creamy old rose than salmon. A good cut flower. $2.00.

BEATRICE BOSTON (Bessic Boston) —Amaranth in color, changing to deep mauve as the season advances or when grown in the shade. A huge blossom of perfect peony type as grown by us, but rather fuller and deeper than the old-time peony. A sturdy grower and profuse bloomer. $2.50.

BILLIONAIRE (Stillman)—Large, gold colored flower with pendant stem. $2.00.

BLACK BEAUTY (Bessie Boston)-—Dark dahlias are scarce and there is always a demand for them. So we were delighted when we discovered this peony among: our seedlings several years ago. It is the biggest and blackest peony we have ever seen. The stems are long and stiff and the flowers immense. There is nothing like it and it well deserves its name. $1.00.

CREAM KING (West)—It is an incomparable dahlia. We have grown it for several years, and it is one of the most popular dahlias we grow. The coloring is different; a soft cream, as the name would indicate. The stem is very lone, which makes it an excellent cut flower, it blooms freely all season. The size is immense, so it is a favorite for exhibiting. 75c.

EDITH WOOSTER (Bessie Boston)—There is something most appealing to the eye in this beautiful, large dahlia. The coloring is unique and described by one artist as having the tea rose blend of red and yellow. The yellow is so suffused and overlaid with sunset red that it would take an artist to write an adequate description of its beauty, so we are merely going to say, it is a remarkable free bloomer with excellent habit. $2.00.

ELEANOR HERRICK (Bessie Boston)—A marvelously large peony with a long straight stem. Care must be used in disbudding or the flower will be too heavy for the stem to carry it. The color is uncommon, a light maroon which will burn early in the season in a warm climate if not given some shade. $3.00.

ELSA (Lehrmann)—The best white peony in existence. A Californian which every grower admires, as it is good for all purposes. No exhibition table is seen without it. The large well-formed blossom blooms freely on fine stems. 75c.

GEISHA (Hornsveld)—The most popular of all dahlias. This is the dahlia which made the peony famous. A stunning mixture of scarlet and gold. 50c.

GLADYS GILCHRISTE (Bessie Boston)—Sometimes a dahlia will not have the best stem but the color and formation are so perfect one has not the heart to destroy it. Such was the case with this peony. A clear old rose with a center surrounded by tiny petals. $1.00.

GORGEOUS (Bessie Boston)—This is the most wonderful peony we have ever seen, because it has tremendous size, great depth, stiff lone stems, and will bloom freely throughout the season. Late blossoms will be as large and good as the early ones. The color is yellow, shading to a bright scarlet. With scarcely any disbudding it will produce ten-inch flowers on stems five feet long. Plant grows very tall. The blossoms, because of their unusual substance, last longer when cut than the average bloom of this popular tyne. “How gorgeous?! What is it?’ was the frequent query of visitors to the garden last fall. Won first prize for the largest flower exhibited at the Oakland show. $5.00.

HAIDA (Hodgens)--An enormous bloom of exquisite glowing, soft creamy pink. Blooms freely and is beautiful in the garden. Pendant. $1.50.

HAL CURTIS (Bessie Boston)-—A favorite with us because of its splendid stem and its lovely shading of old rose and salmon. It is the best type of peony with a center nearly hidden with clusters of tiny petals. Flowers are large, and it is one of the freest bloomers) we grow. $1.00.

HOWITZER (Bessie Boston)—The largest fancy peony dahlia produced. No dahlia of any type has more brilliant coloring than this enormous yellow and red peony. The gorgeous yellow blooms are striped and splashed scarlet. It is one of the brightest spots in the garden, as it grows tall and is laden all season with enormous blossoms which attract the eye instantly. It has all the good qualities, immense size, gorgeous coloring, free flowering habit, and long stems which make it an excellent cut flower. $1.50.

JESSIE M. WILLIAMS (Bessie Boston)—A beautiful. soft dove color suffused with lilac rose. The flower is very large and fluffy and a delight to the eye. Its excellent stem combined with lasting qualities make it a valuable cut flower variety. Some dahlias seem to love to bloom and this is one of that variety. $1.50.

LEO XIII (Hornsveld)—A beautiful yellow of distinct form. Fine stem and free flowering. 50c. 

LIBERTY (West)—The red of grandma’s coral necklace. Lone rigid stems, blossoms abundantly. 50c.

MEYERBEER (Nonin)—The demand is always greater than the supply for this dahlia. An immense bloom of fascinating purple. Unexcelled formation and stem. Free flowering. 75c.

MIGNON (Lohrmann)— Narrow pointed petals of delicate lilac, or mauve, shading to a light center. The flower is large size and a pleasure to grow because of its stem and the masses of blooms produced.75c,

MME. VARD (Charmet)—A brilliant currant color shading to yellow at the center. One of the most stunning peonies and always in demand because of its unique coloring and good stems. 50c.

MONDSCHIEBE (Goos Koenemann)—Invaluable cut flower, as the stems are over two feet long and stilt and straight as a cane. Blooms incessantly. The blossom is a soft yellow of good size and formation, 50c.

MME. VAN BIJSTEIN—This is a most lovely lilac or mauve dahlia with plenty of curly petals, fine stem and free-flowerine, 50c.

MRS. JESSIE L. SEAL (Gleadell)— The largest flower of its coloring, which is a magnificent old rose with golden shadings. The stem is particularly lone and the blossom is borne well above the foliage. $1.00.

AMES. JOHN BRAY (Bessie Boston)—A most distinctive fancy peony of a white ground, speckled, striped and splashed with maroon, formine a good contrast to the yellow disc. One of our biggest sellers. Habit exceptional, flowering early and constant, stem lone and still. $1.00.

MRS. WARNAAR (Hornsveld)—A peony with coarse cactus petals. Flesh pink. Good stem. Prolific. 75c.

MY LADY (Bessie Boston)—Is an uncommon beauty and difficult to describe. An unusual red, somewhat of the shade of a sun-ripened tomato with a faint cerise suffusion and slightly tipped gold. Its formation is of the best and its stem is as rigid as a cane. Its blooms are immense and profuse. $1.50.

NATALIE MAT (Bessie Boston)—-A blossom so unusual in coloring that it is quite impossible to do it Justice in description. A deep burgundy with maroon suffusion shading to a creamy pink at the eye. This is a very large flower with a cluster of tiny petals around the center. $1.50.

NIAGARA (Bessie Boston)—This dahlia has been described as the exact shade of the old Genoese velvet ; anyway it is a lovely, odd shade of red. But its great charm is its unique formation. The tiny, curling petals are so numerous as to completely hide the yellow center. It bears a wealth of big blooms on splendid, upright stems throughout the entire season. $1.00.

OLD ROSE (Bessic Beston)— A lovely, large flower of the deepest old rose. The petals roll inward and shade to a yellowish center. Stem is lone, stiff! and wiry. $1.50.

DIOMEDE (Charmet)—Deep carmine, purple-suffused, and edged white, lighter collar; large, very tall and fine. 50c.

DORA FISHER—The only pink collarette of good color. A most beautiful and uncommon flower, and a great favorite for cutting. Blooms abundantly all season. Sometimes blooms with a double row of petals. 50c.

ETOILE DE MONT PLAISIR—A large collarette of the star formation; purplish crimson in color, with a collar shaded rose and white. 50c.

GEANT DE LYON (Riviore)—An enormous flower of velvety maroon, with a white collar. Everybody exclaims upon seeing it: ‘How like velvet!" This is the dahlia which has made the collarettes famous in California. To most people it seems absolutely irresistible. 75c.

HERALD—An English collarette of large size and a beautiful pink color. Recommended only for cool climates. 50c.

HOOT MON Delightful cerise or rosy-carmine is the lovely color of this big bloom; the pure white collar makes a fine contrast. 50c.

JOHN BULL—The biggest deep red collarette. Splendid for exhibition purposes. The collar is white, shaded with red. 50c.

MME. LOCHER (Bessie Boston) —One of the most striking dahlias of any variety. A giant among collarettes, with a wonderful stem. The coloring is absolutely unique, an amber-terra cotta with a splash of orange running the length of each petal. The collar is of bright amber. 75c

MME POIRER (Charmet)—The nearest to blue in any variety of dahlia. A soft violet-blue with white collar, very free bloomer. 50c.

MRS. JOHN GALLWEY (Pelicano)—Enormous yellow, shaded with scarlet. Stems are particularly long and stiff. The biggest collarette grown except San Mateo Star. $1.00.

MT. LASSEN (Bessie Boston)—Fiery red with yellow collar. This is a very sturdy grower and is a mass of blooms all season. 50c.

PIERSON DURBROW (Bessie Boston)—A wonderful collarette, and of an absolutely new coloring in dahlias, deep mahogany-red with a golden collar. The flower is of immense size, and is greatly admired. 75c.

RAFAEL VELASCO (Bessie Boston)—A 1920 introduction. The biggest, blackest collarette, with a pure white collar. A most striking and beautiful dahlia which will reward the grower with loads of excellent stem blooms. $1.50.

SAN MATEO STAR (Bessie Boston)— An extraordinary flower and the biggest collarette ever produced. Nobody could resist it as it grew on the farm last fall. The color is a clear cerise, the petals edged white, and the collar white. The formation is a distinct star. Like all blossoms of this type, it is a cheerful bloomer with good stems. Makes a wonderful and novel cut flower. $1.50.

SILVER MEDAL (Bessie Boston)—The most beautiful and stunning of all the collarettes. The color is crimson-maroon, with each petal distinctly outlined in white, with a white collar in fine contrast. The stems are, of course, fine. Free blooming. 50c.

SOUV. BEL ACCUEIL (Rivoire)—This orange-red with a yellow collar should be seen to be appreciated. It is one of the largest as well as one of the most beautiful. 50c.

WM. WELSH (Bessie Boston)—There has always been a demand for a first class yellow collarette, and we have no hesitancy in stating we have answered the call in this dahlia. The large flower has a long collar of the same color. 75c.

These are old-fashioned, quilled double flowers, and still hold a warm place in the hearts of many people because of their lovely colorings and excellence for cutting. The giant, or hybrid shows, are becoming favorites because of their tremendous size.

ANNA REHORST (Rehorst-Bessie Boston)—A most wonderful hybrid show of -the deepest shade of purple. 50c.

BLACK DIAMOND—Popular hybrid of deepest maroon. 50c. 

COUNTESS—Cream tipped lilac rose. Perfect form. 50c. 

DANIEL CORNISH—Huge bloom of raspberry red. 75c. 

ESMOND—Biggest and best yellow. 50c. 

FLORENCE TRANTER—Blush white, edged with rose. Fine. 50c. 

GENERAL HAIG (Kettlewell)—Best scarlet show. Pure English exhibition type. Remarkably fine. $1.00. 

GLORY OF LYONS—The best white show in existence. 50c. 

ACE OF DIAMONDS—Best scarlet, for a warm location. 50c. 

ADELAIDE—A small dainty cream, shading to pink. 50c.

ANNIE DONCASTER—Soft yellow, edged mauve, small flowers. 50c. 

BLUSH GEM—Pale pink, edged with cerise. Good. 50c. 

DAGMAR—Dark maroon with exceedingly long stems. 50c. 

DAISY—Salmon, popular because of its color. 50c.

GIRLIE—Pure lilac, nothing better. 50c.

HARRY SNOOK—White, shaded with pink. Good. 50c.

IDEAL—The very best yellow. 50c.

JOE FETTE (Bessie Boston)—The smallest and daintiest white. Very free bloomer. 1919 introduction. 75c.

JOHNNIE—The tiniest of all. Very dark red. 50c. 

LASSIE—Dull old rose. 50c. 

LITTLE BEESWING—Tiny and beautifully formed. Red, shading to yellow. 50c. 

LITTLE BUGLER—A perfect little gem of deep cerise. 50c.

LITTLE DEAR (Bessie Boston)—Old rose and salmon. 50c. 

LITTLE DORRIT—Excellent cerise bloom of small size. 50c. 

MONTAGUE WOOTEN-—Deep cherry, tipped yellow; very fine. 50c. 

NELLY FRASER—Shaded pink, well formed, always scarce. 50c. 

NERISSA—Small mauve pink. Very dainty. 50c.