48 THE BOOK OF THE DAFFODIL 



given (except, of course, during frost) after the boxes, 

 etc., are put in the cold frame. At first, all that is 

 necessary is to keep the soil nicely moist ; but it should 

 be remembered that the boxes are full of roots. When 

 the plants are making strong growth above ground, 

 they will need plenty of water in increasing supply until 

 as flowering time approaches, they get a good watering 

 three times a week. In this way remarkably fine 

 flowers may be obtained. Do not neglect watering 

 after the flowers have been cut, or the bulbs will 

 dwindle and become worthless, but put the boxes, etc., 

 outside in the open air, tying up the foliage loosely to 

 prevent breakage, and give plenty of water until the 

 leaves turn yellow. Then plant the bulbs in bed or 

 border for blooming next season. The fineness of the 

 blooms obtained by this method is due to the regular 

 supplies of water, coupled with perfect drainage, as 

 well as protection from extremes of cold. 



N. TAZETTA. N. Tazetta, the "Clustered Narcissus" 

 (Syn. Polyanthus Narcissus), has long been naturalised 

 in the Scilly Isles and Cornwall, but does not lend 

 itself so readily to outdoor cultivation in England 

 generally as the less widely diffused solitary or one 

 flowered species and varieties ; for it belongs naturally 

 to a much warmer and more sunny climate than that of 

 Northern Europe. And yet the perseverance and skill 

 of our neighbours the Dutch, through more than three 

 centuries of cultivation, have made this peculiarly a 

 Dutch flower, and it is to them that we owe most of the 

 choicer varieties now in general cultivation. In growing 

 Tazettas in England recourse is generally had to 

 " forcing." There are also a few varieties of the other 

 species which it is found useful to force for an early 

 supply of cut flowers. 



FORCING. The Narcissus dislikes forcing, and this 

 when necessary must be applied very gently and with 



