CULTURE OF THE NARCISSUS. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE NARCISSUS. 



BY JUVENIS. 



Mr. Editor — The Narcissus is a flower the cultivation of which is neglected more tnan 

 it ought to be, and I am desirous of calling the attention of j'our readers to some of the 

 best species. With this object I have sketched a few of them, and if you can find room 

 for them in one of your numbers, before the fall, I doubt not, that amongst your nume- 

 rous readers, many will try for once a few Narcissi, who have never grown them before; 

 and I promise them a gratification if the}' do so, that will induce them to repeat the ex- 

 periment. 



In the sketch which I send, the flower with reflexed petals on the left hand of the group 

 at top, is N. Cernuus. Immediately below it are three flowers of N. Jonquillus, (the 

 common Jonquil.) In the centre of the group is N. Albicans with its beautiful bell 

 shaped cup, and below it N. Conspicuus. On the right hand of the sketch, is the mag- 

 nificent N. Trewianus, more generally known by the gardener's name, " BazelmanMiijor," 

 (one of the polyanthus varieties,) and below it is the elegant N. Poeticus. 



For culture in pots, the Polyanthus species is the most showy, and several of the best 

 and most distinct are always to be met with in the annual catalogues of our seed stores; 

 and of them, the varieties named Grand Monarch, Grand Primo Citronier, Soleil D'or, 

 and the Bazelman Major, are the best worth cultivation. All these sorts do admirably 

 well in pots. The bulbs of all the Polyanthus tribe of Narcissi, for ])ot culture, should 

 be large, none less, and some exceeding in size a fine Hyacinth root. Altliough almost 

 any soil will serve to grow them tolerably well, yet, of course, they are materially bene- 

 fitted b}'' one speciall}' adapted to their nature. 



I have grown them with uniform success in a compost, consisting of rich loam with an 

 equal quantity of old hot-bed manure, and about a sixth in bulk of white, fine sand, 

 mixed together. The pots in which the}' are grown should bear reference to the size of 

 the bulbs. There should be at least an inch clear space between the diameter of the bulbs 

 and the sides of the pot. In October or November (the earlier the better) plant the bulbs 

 in the above compost, taking care that it is well pressed down round the bulb, so as to 

 have the \a.iter firmly fixed in the pot. AVhen all are potted, place the pots in a fiame or 

 in a cellar, and cover them over with any dry mateiial, such as coal ashes, sand, or even 

 loam, for I have used each with equal success; but the last named must not be used if 

 3'our pots are in a situation exposed to wet, which they ought not to be. This covering 

 should be of the depth of at least eight to twelve inches; because wlien the bulbs begin 

 to put forth their roots, the force exerted by them is much greater tlian would be sup- 

 posed possible by those unacquainted with the fact; and unless the superincumbent weiglit 

 is considerable, the bulbs will be completel}' raised out of their pots bj' the reaction upon 

 the bulb of the force exerted by the roots in pushing themselves through the soil. The 

 pots should remain in this situation for at least six weeks or two months, during which 

 time they are in the most favorable condition the}' can be for forming roots; and they 

 may be so left with advantage until it is wished to bring them forward into bloom. About 

 the middle of December, this operation may comnience, though to have a fine head of 

 bloom, it is desirable to delay it a month longer, as the Narcissus will not bear such early 

 forcing as will the Hyacinth; I mean to produce a proportionately good flower. Wlien- 

 ever it is determined to commence forcing, the pots must be taken from under their cover- 

 ing with care, (for the stem will have shot up from one to three or four inches, into the 



